Vassilis Kikilias set as a key development goal for Chalcida and the entire Euboea region the relocation of the commercial port and the creation of a modern high-level marina, during his visit to the Port Authority of Euboea Prefecture. The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy presented the plan as a project with a long-term development footprint that, as he argued, can change the image of the area for decades to come. According to him, the relocation of the commercial port will enable a comprehensive upgrade of Chalcida’s waterfront, creating new jobs, increasing tourism activity and strengthening the local economy overall. The plan is presented by the government as one of the most significant projects planned for Euboea, with the minister assuring that the ministry will support its implementation at all stages.
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Kikilias on the new port and marina
During the meeting at the Port Authority of Euboea Prefecture, Vassilis Kikilias met with OLNE president N. Kritsillis, managing director Sp. Palaiologos, members of the Board of Directors, as well as New Democracy MPs from Euboea, local government representatives and Coast Guard officials. Among those present were MPs Symeon Kedikoglou, Athanasios Zebillis and Konstantina Karampatsollis, Euboea deputy regional governor Giorgos Kelaiditis and Chalcida mayor Elena Vaka.
The minister characterized the commercial port relocation as a “major, national project” and emphasized that it can transform the entire area. “The beautiful Euboea and unique Chalcida deserve and are entitled to the relocation of the commercial port and simultaneously, the creation of a very high-level marina in the area,” he stated characteristically.
Vassilis Kikilias noted that the plan concerns not only the city’s image but primarily the economic and development prospects of the area for the coming decades. As he said, the goal is to create well-paid jobs so that young people can remain in their homeland. “We want our children to stay here in our place, to have well-paid jobs and to live better than us,” he mentioned during the meeting.
Vassilis Kikilias: Agency support and next moves
The Maritime Minister emphasized that there is no funding issue for the project and clarified that the ministry will fully support the effort to advance the necessary approvals and master plan. At the same time, he called on all involved agencies to move quickly to accelerate procedures and put the project on an implementation track.
Local MPs and local government representatives appeared positive toward the plan. Symeon Kedikoglou spoke of a vision that now has serious chances of being implemented and noted that this is the first time a Maritime Minister has visited the Port Authority of Euboea Prefecture.
For his part, Athanasios Zebillis characterized the port relocation as a longstanding demand of the local community, emphasizing that the project can completely change Chalcida’s waterfront and give the city a new tourism and development identity.
Konstantina Karampatsollis noted that this is a project of pivotal importance not only for Chalcida but for all of Euboea, adding that it is now “being put on an implementation track.”
After completing the meeting at OLNE, Vassilis Kikilias visited the Central Port Authority of Chalcida, where he met with Coast Guard officials and was briefed by the port commander, Lieutenant Commander Olga Skliri, on issues concerning the Port Authority’s operation and the area’s needs.
