Kalymnos Mayor Giannis Mastrokoukos held a series of high-level meetings in Athens from September 16 to 19, 2026, seeking to advance several major and long-standing issues affecting the island.
Discussions focused on the new port of Kalymnos, port infrastructure, ANEK, ferry connections, the rehabilitation of the island’s landfill, forest maps, the Therma–Agios Savvas ring road and matters concerning Pserimos.
Meetings at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs
During his visit to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the mayor met with Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Deputy Minister Stefanos Gikas, Secretaries General Manolis Koutoulakis and Fotis Maggos, as well as Athina Foka from the ministry’s executive unit for EU-funded programmes.
Particular emphasis was placed on the new port, with the objective of securing its final inclusion in the relevant funding programme and moving forward with the tendering process.
According to the Municipality of Kalymnos, the Municipal Port Fund has completed the final studies required under the programme’s terms.
The meetings also addressed the island’s port infrastructure, the situation concerning ANEK and issues affecting Kalymnos’ ferry connections.
Environment, landfill rehabilitation and long-standing issues
Mastrokoukos also met Deputy Environment Minister Marilena Soukouli to discuss the Therma–Agios Savvas ring road, forest maps and matters concerning Pserimos.
During a meeting with Green Fund President Giannis Androulakis, the two sides examined opportunities for Kalymnos to benefit from the fund’s programmes. The rehabilitation of the island’s landfill was discussed with Secretary General Manolis Grafakos.
The mayor’s round of meetings concluded with talks with Evangelos Gkountoufas, Director General for Forests and the Forest Environment, focusing on Kalymnos-related cases that have remained unresolved for years.
Following the meetings, the mayor stated:
“Every meeting that can open a path, solve a problem or bring something positive to our island has real value. We thank the people of Kalymnos for the trust they have placed in us. Representing them is both a responsibility and a source of strength as we work every day to resolve the island’s problems and secure a better future for Kalymnos.”
