V. Kikilias: “Plans and Chess Games Without the People Are Empty Shirts”

“ In politics, there are no ambitions that can be pursued without the citizens. The people are the ones who decide whether you are truly capable, whether you care, whether you are concerned about their lives and honour your country, and whether you are in politics for their sake or for your own. Plans and chess games without the people are empty shirts.

Undoubtedly, the positive work achieved during these years in government has been substantial and significant in many areas,” said Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, in an interview with the newspaper Thessaloniki, conducted by journalist Christina Chalepidou.

“Nevertheless, during a government’s second four-year term, particularly at its midpoint, it is only natural for opinion poll ratings to decline. People are facing problems, especially the overall cost of living. There are also ongoing cases with negative implications that are currently under investigation,” Mr Kikilias added.

Referring to the opposition, he stressed: “There is no leading political figure in the centre-left capable of bringing together social forces—not political parties—under a common banner. Nor is there a clear, realistic, credible and positive political narrative. The entire opposition strategy is based on anti-government rhetoric.”

Strengthening and modernising maritime education

Speaking about the need to strengthen and upgrade maritime education, the Minister announced:

“This autumn, we will submit a crucial bill on maritime education to Parliament for approval. Our goal is to simplify procedures, reduce bureaucracy and create a more flexible and effective framework that will provide greater incentives for universities—both public and private—to invest in maritime education.”

Shipping’s contribution to the Greek economy

Regarding the role and contribution of shipping to the national economy, Mr Kikilias stressed that Greek shipowners control one of the largest fleets in the world, comprising 5,300 vessels.

“More than 1,700 shipping companies are based in Greece, employing 50,000 well-paid workers. More than 150,000 people work in shipyards, ship supply services, marine insurance, shipping agencies and related sectors.

Foreign exchange earnings from shipping entering our country amount to approximately €18–19 billion annually. A significant proportion is invested not only in ships but also in hotels, real estate, technology companies, energy businesses, sports teams, culture and other sectors,” he noted.

The development of Northern Greece and the Port of Thessaloniki

Mr Kikilias placed particular emphasis on the development of Northern Greece, especially the Port of Thessaloniki, describing it as the city’s greatest and most powerful competitive advantage and, by extension, a major asset for Central Macedonia.

“The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the government have set in motion a series of major projects, both within and outside the Port of Thessaloniki, which will upgrade port services and the logistics sector throughout the wider region.

“For the first time, such a coherent, large-scale transport network centred on the port is being implemented. Through this network, our Macedonia will acquire the role it deserves at the heart of transport flows, not only in the Balkans but throughout Eastern Europe.”

He continued:

“The long-awaited mandatory investment of €130 million for the expansion of Pier 6 has finally got underway. The new master plan has been formalised through a Presidential Decree, the project has been approved by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and preliminary construction works have already begun.

“We expect the multiple benefits for the local economy to become evident soon, both during the construction phase and once the new pier becomes operational.”

The Port of Alexandroupolis: An international energy and logistics hub

Asked about the Port of Alexandroupolis, the Minister noted that it has now established itself on the global transport map as an important point of reference in the energy sector and military logistics.

“With these achievements, the Port of Alexandroupolis was recently included in the Trans-European Transport Network. Among other things, this means it can receive direct funding for projects through the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme.

“For our part, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is investing €23.6 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility to improve the port basin and navigation channel and create a direct freight road connection to Alexandroupolis’s new ring road.

“We will seek to ensure that the infrastructure of the new European corridors currently being planned passes through the strategically important region of Macedonia and Thrace.

“Above all, the new Baltic Sea–Black Sea–Aegean corridor must be implemented as soon as possible, for the benefit of the Port of Alexandroupolis and beyond.

“The Port of Alexandroupolis can and must evolve into an international energy hub and a major freight gateway to Eastern Europe.”

Full interview with the Minister

1. Two years before the elections, assuming they take place as scheduled, New Democracy remains in first place, although its opinion poll ratings have fallen significantly. Is this mainly due to the government’s successes and failures, or to the lack of an effective opposition?

Undoubtedly, the positive work achieved during these years has been substantial and significant in many areas. Nevertheless, during a government’s second four-year term, particularly at its midpoint, it is natural for its ratings to decline.

People are facing problems, especially the overall cost of living. There are also ongoing cases with negative implications that are being investigated.

The opposition’s weakness stems from two reasons. First, there is no leading political figure in the centre-left capable of bringing together social forces—not political parties—under a common banner. Second, there is no clear, realistic, credible and positive political narrative. The entire opposition strategy is based on anti-government rhetoric.

2. The government recognises the role the Port of Thessaloniki can play. However, specific projects must be carried out with government support, in accordance with the existing concession agreement, to make Pier 6 operational. Will the government meet its obligations?

In my view, the Port of Thessaloniki is the greatest and most powerful competitive advantage the city possesses and, by extension, a major asset for Central Macedonia.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the government have set in motion a series of major projects, both within and outside the port, that will upgrade port services and the logistics sector throughout the wider region.

For the first time, such a coherent, large-scale transport network centred on the port is being implemented. Through this network, our Macedonia will acquire the role it deserves at the heart of transport flows, not only in the Balkans but throughout Eastern Europe.

Over the past four to five years, the port has already multiplied its cargo-handling activity.

The long-awaited mandatory investment of €130 million for the expansion of Pier 6 has finally got underway. The new master plan has been formalised through a Presidential Decree, the project has been approved by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and preliminary construction works have already begun.

We expect the multiple benefits for the local economy to become evident soon, both during the construction phase and once the new pier becomes operational.

3. Following the recent incident on Thassos, in which a person with a disability was transported in the vehicle area of a ferry, you ordered the imposition of penalties and more intensive inspections. Why does something that reflects so poorly on us as a society always have to happen before we take action?

You are right. We should not have had to wait for a distressing incident such as the one on Thassos before taking action. And I say this as a human being, not just as a minister.

I requested the imposition of the prescribed penalties and the intensification of inspections, but we have also gone a step further.

Last week, I met with Ioannis Vardakastanis, president of the National Confederation of Disabled People (ESAmeA), and Dionysis Theodoratos, president of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN). We discussed all issues relating to accessibility in passenger shipping.

We are therefore moving forward, with specific deadlines, towards the introduction of a new Presidential Decree which, for the first time, will establish mandatory accessibility standards for passenger ships. These will cover ramps, lifts, cabins, toilets, designated spaces for people with disabilities and functional accessibility throughout all areas of the vessels.

4. I imagine that wherever you went this summer, people complained to you about ferry ticket prices. A family of four effectively starts its holidays €1,000 out of pocket if it wants to travel to a Greek island. Is this another problem amid the general cost-of-living crisis?

As you know, passenger shipping operates under free-market conditions. The state cannot directly intervene in ticket prices.

However, when there is political will, there are instruments available.

We reduced port fees by 50%, and ferry companies not only refrained from implementing the 12–15% increases they had already announced, but also introduced substantial price reductions.

Between 2017 and 2024, ticket prices had increased by 38%.

This year, after seven consecutive summers of price increases, we managed to change that trend.

5. Although migration falls under the responsibility of another ministry, the Hellenic Coast Guard plays an important role. Under the national and European legal framework, can the Coast Guard do more than conduct rescues and also take action to prevent migrants from entering the country? Are there any changes to operational planning in this direction?

Regarding the operational capacity to deter migration flows, there is now a high level of organisation and cooperation in the northeastern Aegean, both on the humanitarian side, through rescue operations, and in the protection of maritime borders, including cooperation with the other side.

The new challenge lies in the Libyan Sea. At distances of 100 or 200 nautical miles, operations comparable to those conducted in the northeastern Aegean cannot be carried out.

Instead, Frontex and the Hellenic Coast Guard have only one option: to conduct rescue operations.

Unfortunately, modern-day human traffickers have redirected their activities towards that area.

We have, however, taken bold and tough decisions. Anyone entering illegally from North Africa towards Gavdos, Crete, Karpathos and other areas must now understand that they will be held in a closed pre-removal detention centre or prison until they decide to return to their country of origin.

The men and women of the Hellenic Coast Guard operate under difficult conditions, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Together with the Minister of Migration and Asylum, we announced the allocation of €450 million to strengthen the Hellenic Coast Guard.

The programme includes:

• Two 80-metre offshore patrol vessels equipped with helipads.
  
• Six coastal patrol boats.
  
• Ten high-speed vessels capable of reaching 60 knots.
  
• Mobile units.
  
• Drones and modern surveillance systems, among other equipment.
  

6. As Minister of Maritime Affairs, you serve as a key link between the Greek government and Greek shipowners, who currently control approximately 21% of the global fleet. Do you believe Greek shipowners contribute as much as they could to the country’s efforts to build a better future?

Greek shipowners control one of the largest fleets in the world, comprising 5,300 vessels.

More than 1,700 shipping companies are based in Greece, employing 50,000 well-paid workers. More than 150,000 people work in shipyards, ship supply services, marine insurance, shipping agencies and related sectors.

Foreign exchange earnings from shipping entering our country amount to approximately €18–19 billion annually. A significant proportion is invested not only in ships but also in hotels, real estate, technology companies, energy businesses, sports teams, culture and other sectors.

It is precisely for this reason that, this autumn, we will submit a crucial bill on maritime education to Parliament for approval.

Our goal is to simplify procedures, reduce bureaucracy and create a more flexible and effective framework that will provide greater incentives for universities—both public and private—to invest in maritime education.