In an emotional ceremony in Symi, the port of the island officially took on the name “Port of Symi Nektarios Santorinios”, honoring the politician who sealed with his work and presence the country’s island policy.

On the occasion of the island symposium “Nektarios Santorinios: Sustainable policies for the future of the islands”the former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras He paid tribute to his late companion, outlining him as a decisive but moderate man, dedicated to the interests of the islanders and always present to the little ones and the big struggle.

He referred to the decisive role he played during the years of SYRIZA’s rule, when, in times of harsh negotiation with lenders, Santorini was a “Island of stability in a sea of ​​oscillations and hostility.”

At the same time, he emphasized the importance of his work at the Ministry of Maritime and Island Policy, with a top example being the introduction of the transport equivalent, which made the lives of islands easier and was one of the most iconic reforms of the period. Tsipras also talked about the bravery with which Santorini faced his illness, without ever struggling to fight for what he believed, until the last minute.

In detail the statement by Alexis Tsipras:

“The smile, which hid determination, the determination that did not ignore moderation, the constant alertness of honesty and dedication to the interests of ordinary people.

Of people who live, create and fight in our islands mainly.

This was our Nektarios. Nektarios Santorini. The friend, the partner, the present in the young and the big. In the difficulties of the struggle and even more difficult in power. In the effort of the Left, in the two years, to exist as a catalyst for progress.

And later, of the ruling Left, with its harsh confrontation with lenders, up and down, Nektarios was an island of stability in a sea of ​​oscillations, hesitations, hostility and embarrassment.

His memory always accompanies our steps. But we are missing. It is missing from our side his smile, the good reason, his readiness to contribute where necessary. And especially his imprint on small and big works, when he was responsible for the Ministry of Maritime and Island Policy.

His inspiration and longing, to make the transport equivalent to make the lives of the Aegean people a little easier. Perhaps one of the most iconic reforms for our island country, unfortunately abandoned by the current government.

But today is for all we have known a day of justification and emotion. Which proves that nothing went lost in his short life.

I remember with emotion, with how shocking courage he fought with the disease, which eventually paid him. How, while fighting with cancer, he didn’t stop fighting for what he thought. Until the last minute.

I am happy to have traveled with him to the left of the left. Proud that we fought the battle for the exemption of our homeland from the Memorandum Committees.
And very happy that the mayor of Symi, the island he so loved, made his promise and gives his name today to the port of the island.

So Nektarios, in addition to our memory and hearts, will remain forever and next to the people and seas he so loved, in the Dodecanese.

So this very important day, I want with a promise to honor his memory: we will insist on his own path.

The path of democracy, solidarity, social justice.
And when we travel to the struggle for a fairer society, we will always have it with us, on our bow. ”