Mr. Minister,
Every year, at times predetermined by your ministry, we receive numerous complaints from thousands of our fellow citizens regarding various issues affecting our islands. In particular, the transportation connectivity of our islands—both by sea and air—and the insufficient staffing of schools and medical centers have, for decades, remained persistent, serious, and unresolved problems.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the list of problems has been dangerously growing, with the gradual reduction of personnel in Municipalities, Citizens’ Service Centers (KEP), Public Power Corporation (DEI), Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), Tax Offices, and the list goes on…
Considering the exponentially increasing demands placed by the State on our islanders—especially those living on remote frontier islands—the government must resolve the following severe issues:
- The necessity for islanders to travel for their daily needs, facing routes with no connections, costly tickets, and of course, the unpredictability of weather conditions.
- Ensuring regular transportation routes without increasing the cost of travel for the residents of the South Aegean islands.
We do not find it appropriate in this letter to elaborate further on individual problems—something we are, at the very least morally, obligated to do soon and to pursue by every means possible the fulfillment of our rightful demands.
With the responsibility of representing the majority of Dodecanesians worldwide, our Federations and all Dodecanesian associations call upon you to immediately take action, within the scope of your authority, taking into account the concept of insularity and the obligation of the State to establish conditions of equal treatment and equal opportunities among citizens, as stipulated by European Union decisions.
We request that you schedule a meeting with us, also including representatives of the Union of Greek Shipowners and the Hellenic Network of Small Islands, so we can contribute to efforts to resolve these issues.
This letter is co-signed by the Boards of the following Dodecanesian Federations and Associations:
- Dodecanesian “Melissa”
- Association of Dodecanesian Youth Abroad
- Association of Kalymnians of Attica
- Association of Karpathians Abroad
- Union of Koans of Athens
- Association of Patmians Abroad
- Union of Rhodians of Attica
- Association of Tilians Abroad
- Union of Chalkites of Athens
- Association of Dodecanesians of Eastern Attica
- Social Association of Symians
- Association of Kasians in Greece
- Club of Young Karpathians
- Association of Nisyrians of Athens – Piraeus
- Panhellenic Union of Lerians
- Association of Kastellorizians Abroad
Recipients for Action:
- Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias
Recipients for Notification:
- Members of Parliament of the Region
- Governor of the South Aegean and Regional Council Members
- Mayors of the Islands
- Mass Media
Federation of Dodecanesian Associations of Athens – Piraeus
Federation of Dodecanesian Community Associations of Rhodes
