Nicola de Michelis, Director of the Directorate-General for Regional Policy and Urban Development (DG REGIO) of the European Commission, who is responsible for Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Spain, and Portugal. The purpose of the visit was to review the progress of key infrastructure projects and the contribution of European Cohesion Policy to the island’s sustainable development.
Mr. de Michelis was welcomed by the Mayor of Halki, Evangelos Fragakis, in the presence of the Head of the Special Management Service of the Region of South Aegean, Antonis Voutsinos, his associates, and officials from the Technical Service of the Region of South Aegean. Representatives of the contractor SYRMET, which is responsible for constructing the island’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, also participated in the meeting.
During the visit, an on-site briefing was held on the construction progress of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (Biological Treatment), a project of crucial importance for environmental protection, public health, and sustainable tourism development. At the same time, the delegation visited the desalination facilities, where the infrastructure for producing drinking water was presented and the challenges faced by small islands regarding water scarcity, water sufficiency, and adaptation to climate change.
The ongoing collaboration between the Municipality of Halki and the Regional Governor of the South Aegean, George Hatzimarkos, the Region of South Aegean, the Special Management Service, and the relevant technical departments is a key factor in leveraging available European funding instruments and addressing the chronic challenges of insularity. The visit by this high-ranking European Commission official also highlighted the importance of continuing a strong European Cohesion Policy beyond 2027, with special attention to small and remote islands.
The Mayor of Halki, Evangelos Fragakis, stated:
“The presence of a high-ranking official from the European Commission on our small island of Halki is a great honor, but above all a meaningful opportunity to highlight the real needs of small island communities. Today we provided a firsthand look at two infrastructure projects of vital importance to our community: the wastewater treatment plant and the desalination plant. These projects are directly linked to environmental protection, public health, the quality of life for residents, and the sustainable development of our island. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Regional Governor of the South Aegean, George Hatzimarkos, for his consistent cooperation, support, and genuine interest in the needs of Halki. Our collaboration with the Region of South Aegean demonstrates in practice just how important the joint effort of local and regional government is for implementing projects that have a real impact on the dailylives of our citizens. I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to Mr. Nicola de Michelis for his visit and his interest in our island, to Mr. Antonis Voutsinos and his colleagues, the staff of the Technical Services of the Region of South Aegean, as well as the contractor for their cooperation in carrying out the project. For us, European Cohesion Policy is not merely about numbers and funding programs. It is clean water, the protection of our seas, modern infrastructure, the safety of our residents, and the opportunity for young people to stay and build a future in their hometowns. Small islands are not asking for preferential treatment. They are asking for policies that recognize their unique geographical characteristics and ensure equal opportunities for development. Chalki proves that an island’s small size does not limit the scope of its potential and aspirations. We are moving forward with planning, collaboration, consistency, and responsibility, transforming available European funds into meaningful projects for the present and future of our region.”
Chalki, as Greece’s first GR-eco Island, continues to serve as a model for the implementation of policies on sustainability, the green transition, and environmental protection. Through the collaboration of the Municipality of Halki, the Government, the Region of South Aegean, and European institutions, insularity is being transformed from a challenge into an opportunity for a more sustainable, resilient, and creative future.
