V. Kikilias to ethnos.gr: “Citizens stood by the country to help it get back on its feet – We support society and leave no one behind”

The need to protect citizens’ incomes from the effects of the energy crisis while safeguarding the stability of the Greek economy was highlighted by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, in an interview with ethnos.gr and journalist Katerina Kokkaliari.

“Citizens stood by the country to help it get back on its feet. Our responsibility is to protect incomes today without derailing the economy tomorrow,” he stressed, pointing out that the government must exhaust every available option to support society.

At the same time, he announced a new measure aimed at containing ferry ticket prices and safeguarding maritime connections to the islands. He also referred to strengthening the Hellenic Coast Guard, upgrading port infrastructure, managing migration flows and the government’s political priorities.

Energy crisis and support for households and businesses

Regarding the impact of the energy crisis on households and businesses, Mr Kikilias stated:

“The energy crisis is a real challenge for every family and every business. Wars and disruptions to fuel supply chains lead to price increases and inflation. We must acknowledge this pressure and stand by citizens, who have supported the country for so many years, helping it get back on its feet.

Our responsibility is to protect incomes today without derailing the economy tomorrow. We support lower-income groups, the middle class and Greek society as a whole, with prudence. These are our political beliefs, the principles and values of our political tradition.

We have demonstrated that, in every major crisis, the government exhausts all available means to support society. There are no magic solutions. Anyone who promises them is engaging in populism, and I believe citizens have realised this. Greece has succeeded thanks to the sacrifices made by its people. Brussels must show flexibility.”

Ferry ticket prices and new support measures

Regarding efforts to contain ferry ticket prices and the new interventions being planned, the Minister said:

“Ferry services are vital for the Greek islands, for the transportation of island residents and for the movement of goods. That is why, when I took over the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in March 2025, I stated that we would make every possible effort to keep ticket prices under control.

At the time, many people did not believe it, since ferry operators had already announced price increases of between 12% and 15%. Yet, as you may recall, we managed to prevent these increases by reducing port fees by 50%.

This summer, with the war in the Middle East creating renewed and severe pressure, the government allocated €60 million, assuming the cost of mandatory discounts, with the result that ticket prices once again remained at the same levels.

However, as the situation remains extremely difficult due to the energy crisis, I have already submitted proposals for additional measures to the Prime Minister’s Office and the economic policy team. In consultation with industry representatives, we are preparing a new intervention, which will be announced in the coming days.

In this way, we will manage to limit the impact of the increased cost of marine fuel and support ferry connections to our islands, particularly smaller islands and those served by subsidised, less commercially viable routes.”

Migration flows from Libya

Regarding migration flows from Libya, Mr Kikilias noted:

“Libya is facing serious internal problems while simultaneously coming under migratory pressure from other African countries, such as Sudan, and even from Asia.

Unfortunately, modern-day human trafficking networks have become firmly established in Libya and are exploiting human suffering. At the same time, on the geopolitical chessboard, other third countries with influence are interfering in its internal affairs, making the situation even more complicated.

Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic channels, the Greek government is trying to address the underlying causes of this situation.”

Hellenic Coast Guard operations and the management of arrivals in Crete

Regarding the actions of the Hellenic Coast Guard and the management of migrant arrivals in Crete, he stressed:

“As far as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy and the Hellenic Coast Guard are concerned, we have significantly strengthened the Coast Guard’s operational presence in southern Crete, deploying additional vessels, drones and Frontex aerial assets.

We have stationed a permanent Hellenic Coast Guard liaison officer in Libya and are seeking even closer cooperation with the Libyan Coast Guard, so that information can be exchanged in a timely manner and the Libyan authorities can intervene, ideally before boats carrying migrants set off or move away from their shores.

As regards the management of arrivals in Crete, the temporary reception facility established in Chania, as well as the facility that will be operated by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum in Heraklion, are steps in the right direction, since these incidents cannot be managed in the island’s ports.

I believe that all the authorities involved — the Region, municipalities and others — will cooperate in this direction for the benefit of Crete.

Clearly, this is a challenging undertaking as a whole. It concerns the protection of our maritime borders and the dismantling of criminal smuggling networks, while respecting the law of the sea and safeguarding human lives.”

Ministry priorities: The ‘AEGIS 2’ programme and the new Coast Guard Operations Centre

Regarding the Ministry’s priorities leading up to the next elections, particular emphasis was placed on the “AEGIS 2” programme and the new digital Operations Centre of the Hellenic Coast Guard.

“Particular emphasis is being placed on strengthening the Hellenic Coast Guard through the ‘AEGIS 2’ programme. We are moving ahead with the renewal of its fleet through the acquisition of new, modern vessels, the use of new technologies and the reinforcement of its personnel.

The new, state-of-the-art digital Operations Centre will play a significant role. The project has already gone out to tender and will replace the current Operations Room, which has remained essentially unchanged for decades.

Through the use of artificial intelligence and its integration with drones, cameras, sensors, radar systems, satellite imagery and systems such as VTMIS and ESOTHE, it will collect and utilise information from multiple sources.

This will give the Hellenic Coast Guard leadership a comprehensive, real-time picture of developments in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, enabling it to assess incidents promptly and make the right decisions.

This represents a substantial transformation in the way the Hellenic Coast Guard operates. We want the men and women serving in the Coast Guard to have the resources they need to fulfil their demanding mission, from protecting our maritime borders and conducting search and rescue operations to combating organised crime.”

Support for the Greek islands and investment in port infrastructure

Regarding support for the Greek islands, the Minister outlined the funding allocated to ferry connections and port infrastructure projects.

“Equally important is our support for insular Greece. As I have already mentioned, from the very first moment I took over the Ministry, one of our key priorities was to contain ferry ticket prices, and through specific interventions we succeeded in preventing increases.

We continue to support ferry connections, particularly those serving smaller and remote islands and subsidised routes, through a programme worth more than €600 million.

At the same time, we are proceeding with interventions to improve port infrastructure, ensuring that our islands have safer and more functional ports. For this purpose, we are allocating a total of €318 million to completed or planned port infrastructure projects.

In parallel, we are preparing a comprehensive funding plan for port infrastructure within the framework of the new Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034.”

Greek shipping and employment opportunities for young people

Regarding Greek shipping and the employment prospects available to young people in maritime professions, he noted:

“Furthermore, we are working to strengthen Greek shipping, which is one of our country’s most important economic sectors.

Greece is the world’s leading maritime power, with the Greek-owned fleet accounting for 20% of global shipping capacity and more than 60% of European capacity.

We are proud of our maritime tradition, our Greek seafarers and a centuries-old heritage that has brought us to the forefront of global shipping.

We want to make even greater use of this tremendous strength so that it can generate investment, new and well-paid jobs, and tangible benefits for the Greek economy and society, with particular emphasis on maritime education and attracting young people to careers at sea.”

Political priorities and the government’s commitment to society

On the political front, Mr Kikilias stated:

“You know, unfortunately, in Greece the opposition has learned to live with a single role: criticising and dismissing everything. We have a more difficult role: governing responsibly.

Slogans are easy. Responsibility is not. Our argument is not based on fear of the alternative. It is about progress and prosperity for everyone.

We are the political force representing the many: workers, pensioners, professionals, the middle class and young people with dreams and aspirations.

It is our obligation to listen to citizens. There are people who supported the country’s efforts during extremely difficult times, who stood by it and who continue to feel the pressure of high prices and the demands of everyday life.

It is entirely understandable that they have concerns, expectations and even grievances.

And we will be judged on just one thing: whether their lives are getting better. Whether economic growth translates into better wages, more opportunities and greater security in everyday life.

My determination and consistent political objective is for our political party to support society continuously and move forward alongside it. We do not want to leave anyone behind.”

US midterm elections and Greek-American relations

Finally, regarding the outcome of the US midterm elections and Greek-American relations, he emphasised:

“Greek-American relations are very strong, and no electoral result can affect them.

I have friends who have been elected from both political parties, and I would like to congratulate them, as well as everyone who was elected, particularly those of Greek-American origin.

We will continue to fight for the promotion of our national interests and rights, and we will continue to strengthen our country’s position. We have a strong voice that is heard because international law is on our side.

We have a strategic relationship with the United States, in which Greek shipping plays a pivotal role. We are allies, and that is the foundation of our relationship.”