Rhodes, July 30, 2025
During the Regional Council meeting held on July 28, 2025, in the discussion on the topic:
“Decision on the Suspension of Funding for Projects or Initiatives on the Island of Rhodes, funded by the Public Investment Program (PIP) of the South Aegean Region, due to the urgent need to ensure cash flow for the project: ‘Provision of Management, Operation, and Maintenance Services of the project “Water Supply of Rhodes from the Gadouras Dam”’,”
– a situation arising from the consistent financial non-compliance of the Municipal Water and Sewerage Company of Rhodes (DEYAR) under the Programmatic Agreement between the Municipality of Rhodes, DEYAR, and the South Aegean Region –
we expressed the following position:
We were the first to highlight the need for dialogue between the South Aegean Region and the Municipality of Rhodes, in order to find a viable solution to a dispute that creates deep insecurity among citizens regarding the water supply of Rhodes.
Unfortunately, we observed with regret that the discussions have not borne fruit, and the chances of reaching an understanding have been minimized—if not entirely vanished.
However, the response to DEYAR’s non-compliance cannot and must not be the excessively punitive measure of suspending funding for all projects and initiatives across the entire island.
It is unacceptable for citizens to be penalized and for the island’s developmental trajectory to be halted due to DEYAR’s failure to meet its financial obligations.
We therefore propose the pursuit of more balanced alternatives, such as intensifying legal action to secure the Region’s claim against DEYAR, in order to avoid the drastic measure of cutting off funding—a move that would unfairly punish the people of Rhodes.
Accordingly, we voted AGAINST the Regional Authority’s proposal to suspend funding for Rhodes and IN FAVOR of authorizing the regional committee and the Region’s legal service to take all lawful actions to protect the interests of the Organization.
The decision to suspend funding for Rhodes’ projects was passed by majority vote – but not with ours.
Perhaps you didn’t read that in the headlines.
We, however, will continue to honor the mandate given to us by the citizens of the South Aegean and return their trust by serving truth and the public interest—with clarity and responsibility.
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