New Democracy MEP George Autias, as a member of the European Parliament’s budget committee, with an urgent question to the European Commission raises the issue of the financial support of the Ionian Islands, due to the constant landslides and coastal erosion.

In his question, the MEP stresses that the Ionian Islands with their intense commercial and tourism activity contribute key to the economic and social development of Greek society and therefore the financial support of their coastal areas, as well as the provision of European funding is considered necessary.

The complete question is as follows:

The coastal areas in the European Union are located in a vulnerable and dynamic regime, due to human intervention and natural processes that change their morphology, but also because of the advantages they bring at the social and economic level. They are greatly affected by coastal soil corrosion, as well as by wave actions. The Ionian Islands contribute dynamically to commerce, transport and tourism, offering a huge field of economic growth and professional activity in Greek society.

According to a document in the Ionian Islands Region, signed by the Regional Governor Ioannis Trepeklis, the following are stated:

“After long -term research and studies it has been found that the Ionian Islands Region is particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion and the most prone to continuous and high earthquakes worldwide. The islands of Corfu Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Lefkada are mentioned. The Ionian Islands Region raises this issue, as resolving the problem also requires immediate European intervention.

Based on this data the European Commission is asked:

1. Will it support in every economic way the strengthening of coastal areas?

2. Will it fund national initiatives that contribute to the protection of coastal residents from the impacts caused by soil erosion?