The «Nisyros Dialogues 2024» concluded with the Keynote Speech by the Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life, Mr. Margaritis Schinas
The second day of the «Nisyros Dialogues 2024», held on the remote island at the "Stefanos" crater of the volcano, concluded with impactful messages.
The second day of the Dialogues opened by the Dialogues General Coordinator, journalist Ms. Alexia Tasouli.
In the first Dialogue of the second day, titled "Climate Change: Gr-eco Islands, Sustainability of the Islands and Coastal Greece," the following participated: the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy; Alexandra Sdoukou, the Secretary-General of the Academy of Athens and National Representative for Climate Change; Christos Zerefos (with a pre-recorded message), Economist and Head of Political Planning of the New Left; Gabriel Sakellaridis, Lawyer specializing in Labor Law and former Secretary-General of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy; Dionysios Temponeras, Professor of International Institutions at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holder of the UNESCO Chair for Climate Diplomacy; Emmanuela Doussis, and the Ambassador of the European Climate Pact and Head of Development of the NGO WeFor; Marios Dafnomilis.
The discussion was moderated by ERT journalist Mr. Fanis Papathanasiou, who led a constructive dialogue beginning with defining sustainability as a deeply political and social issue.
Following the announcement by Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, regarding the inclusion of Nisyros in the Gr-eco islands initiative, Deputy Minister Alexandra Sdoukou stated, "We managed as a country to negotiate with the EU and secure a budget ranging from 1.8 to 3.6 billion euros from the Decarbonization Fund, which will be available from 2025, aimed at investing in specific initiatives and interventions to be utilized on each island." She explained that key priorities include further penetration of renewable energy sources (RES), eliminating the energy isolation of the islands with underwater electric connections to mainland Greece, and utilizing water resources better through dams.
She elaborated on the "green" projects evolving on Greek islands, such as those on Poros, Tilos island, and Halki. Through collaboration, such projects can be fully realized as resources are secured, and the state can play a role in accelerating these initiatives.
"Nisyros island could be a beacon for energy and other issues bridging areas of the Eastern Mediterranean," stated Professor Christos Zerefos, Secretary-General of the Academy of Athens and National Representative for Climate Change. He mentioned that the energy available on the islands from the sun is equal to the winds and added that the inexhaustible source of geothermal energy exists both in Nisyros and Gyali. According to Professor Zerefos, "Nisyros could be the heart of clean energy for all of Greece, helping it prosper and transferring part of the wealth to its inhabitants and other areas of the Aegean".
According to Professor Emmanuela Doussis, the holder of the UNESCO Chair for Climate Diplomacy, concerning climate issues, Greece has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 29% compared to 1990. She emphasized that the green transition means moving from a system utilizing energy sources we do not have to one that replaces them with energy sources we do have. Professor Doussis stated that recent disasters have proven we are not ready to face such challenges, highlighting the need to upgrade infrastructure, legislation, and support vulnerable areas.
Economist Gabriel Sakellaridis, Head of Political Strategy of the New Left Party, stressed the need for essential safeguards to ensure a fair climate transition with proper resource utilization. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing energy communities and creating a regulatory framework for self-production so that citizens can see the benefits of the energy they produce. He also addressed issues of hypertourism, urban planning changes, and water resource management, identifying it as one of the most significant challenges we face.
Lawyer specializing in Labor Law and former Secretary-General of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, Dionysios Temponeras, noted that the issue of insularity can function as a mechanism for eliminating significant socioeconomic inequalities and as a crucial lever for regional development. He highlighted the importance of having teachers and doctors on the islands while dealing with the consequences of the climate crisis, such as drought and water scarcity. Temponeras stated that the state must ensure equality among citizens and pointed out that high prices on the islands are felt more acutely than on the mainland, a problem that should be addressed by the state. Island residents face severe issues with ferry ticket prices.
Marios Dafnomilis, Ambassador of the European Climate Pact and Head of Development at WeFor, mentioned that we inherited a situation that we must manage. "The pandemic is a milestone for our generation. With self-sufficiency as the main characteristic, we are at the forefront of sustainability," he noted, emphasizing that most young people could choose a more expensive product if it is sustainable. Sustainability is not only about being green; it's an entire lifestyle. What we want to maintain is sustainability and participation.
Christos Basdekis, Head of Customer Activities at DEPA COMMERCIAL S.A., mentioned that companies need to transform to face new challenges. He highlighted that in the coming years, DEPA is developing a portfolio of RES exceeding 1000 megawatts while investing in biogas and hydrogen projects to be used in transportation. In recent years, the company has also invested in small-scale LNG projects that can be used in shipping.
Mr. Papathanasiou invited Ms. Irini Frygana, board member of the NGO WeFor, to the podium, asking her to speak as a representative of Gen Z. "We are a disruptive generation - one of great expectations and high demands. We have both the will and the determination to consistently participate in and shape public dialogue," Ms. Frygana emphasized, among other things.
ERT journalist Mr. Fanis Papathanasiou also moderated the second Dialogue, titled: Tourism and Hypertourism: Limits, Management, and Ecotourism, featuring the President of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO); Angela Gerekou,Member of Parliament for Athens B2 Western Sector PASOK-KINAL; Nadia Giannakopoulou, Mayor of Ios; Gikas Gikas, President of NECCA; Maria Papadopoulou and Research Director at diaNEOsis, Dr. Fay Makantasi.
The Dialogue began with the first nationwide presentation of the study by NECCA and diaNEOsis, titled: "Strategic Plan for the Organization and Development of Tourism in the Natura 2000 Network Areas."
Dr. Fai Makantasi, Research Director at diaNEOsis, recalled that a similar study seven years ago broadly concluded that the economic benefits from utilizing 40% of these areas could reach 2 billion euros annually for the Greek economy. She emphasized that this is an untapped opportunity requiring attention and dialogue with local communities, as there is widespread suspicion when it comes to utilizing these areas for profit.
In Greece, the Natura 2000 network covers 27% of the land area (446 areas), making it crucial for environmental protection in the country.
Maria Papadopoulou, President of NECCA, who actively participated in this research, emphasized the rules that must be in place to protect these areas and increase their economic impact on local communities.
Mayor of Ios, Gikas Gikas, highlighted the lack of local urban planning, resulting in a complete lack of an organized plan for tourism infrastructure. He called for establishing rules regarding where and what each entrepreneur can build in the Cyclades. For Mayor Gikas, the issue of infrastructure on the islands and strategic planning to increase the population in Ios and other islands, which are deserted in winter, remains crucial. Meanwhile, he made a special reference to the exorbitant cost of ferry tickets and the high cost of holidays for an average family in the Cyclades.
PASOK MP, Nadia Giannakopoulou, launched her campaign for the party's presidency from Nisyros island, emphasizing the complete lack of strategic planning for the remote islands. Today, she explained, "we are trying to patch things up with a vague spatial plan that does not address the challenges of hypertourism. Any tourism plan should concern the entire island country and benefit the local community." She also spoke about the limits of tourist flows related to the particularities of each area.
In her video message, GNTO President Angela Gerekou emphasized that Nisyros island could be an ideal sustainable destination, as it is an open geological museum with a rare cultural heritage. She noted that the GNTO has a strategic goal to promote a different development model and promote the country with respect for the environment, culture, and local communities. Gerekou highlighted the ongoing efforts to include Nisyros in the Gr-eco Islands and the actions for UNESCO recognition as a geopark.
The «Nisyros Dialogues 2024» culminated at "Porta," the square of Nikia – the hometown of Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in his video message, expressed confidence that this year's «Nisyros Dialogues» would contribute to highlighting contemporary challenges and assist in raising awareness to address them. He also congratulated the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation for organizing the «Nisyros Dialogues» as they are oriented towards the sustainability of the small islands of the Aegean.
The Ecumenical Patriarch particularly emphasized the spiritual and moral roots of the ecological crisis and social problems, noting that a dimension of this crisis is the fact that "man, although aware of the dead-ends of his choices, continues to act as if he were unaware." He pointed out that "in the face of the ecological crisis, he harbors vain hopes that nature has the power to overcome its ongoing man-made destruction and regenerate itself."
After acknowledging that there are obviously healthy reactions and hopeful developments, notable civil society initiatives, dynamic ecological movements, scientific discoveries and interventions, policy decisions based on the common good, various forms of resistance in the name of respect for the human person and the integrity of creation, environmental education, and many other factors, he highlighted the necessary changes.
Beyond all this, the Ecumenical Patriarch underscored the need for a radical change in mentality and a value shift, a transition from the orientation towards having to the orientation towards being. Towards an eco-friendly culture and a culture of solidarity. Changes to which, as the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized, spiritual forces such as the great religions can and must contribute by developing their ecological, social, and peacemaking potential.
The Ecumenical Patriarch made a special mention of the phenomenon of hypertourism, which was also one of the topics of the Nisyros Dialogues, noting that its dead-ends reveal the value of alternative forms of tourism as a means of development and protection of the natural environment and generally as a contribution to spiritual culture. In this context, he also referred to the correct understanding of so-called religious tourism.
The Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life, Mr. Margaritis Schinas, from the platform of the keynote speaker, thanked the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation and its President, Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos, for the invitation.
Subsequently, summarizing the previous five years, Mr. Schinas spoke about the lessons Europe has learned, noting, among other things, that this period marked the end of the age of innocence and the importance of resilience. "In the past, we thought we could always buy cheap energy from Russia or import masks when needed from China. We were wrong," he noted, highlighting that the "electric shocks" experienced by Europe led to its awakening and maturation, emphasizing the importance of open strategic autonomy and economic security.
Regarding resilience, he particularly focused on building a strong European Health Union, sparked by Europe's decision to purchase vaccines on behalf of all member states, as well as the Migration and Asylum Pact, where an agreement was reached after decades of failure.
Speaking about future priorities, he emphasized the need for resilience and autonomy, especially in the areas of defense and the competitiveness of the European economy, as well as safeguarding international law, European values, and our way of life. "We must remain a beacon of reason in a global context of uncertainty," he stressed.
In his discussion with the Director of the English-language Kathimerini, Mr. Athanasios Ellis, Mr. Schinas stated, "If President von der Leyen does not receive a vote of confidence in two weeks, Europe will enter a tailspin." [...] "With two wars in our neighborhood, geopolitical insecurities, countless risks, opening a new European leadership crisis within the European political system's 'heart' will have significant implications for Europe."
Mr. Schinas was also asked whether Europe's elite is to blame for the rise of the far-right in the recent European elections. "I don't believe we are experiencing a tsunami of far-right and populism as predicted. We are experiencing a new European Parliament, which will be more kaleidoscopic, with more colors, more diversity, but a parliament within which there is a clear majority of political forces wanting to move Europe forward," he responded.
He also commented that "many times we have a systematic nationalization of European successes and communitization of failures," even by pro-European governments, noting that what is needed is a "de-Brusselization of Europe."
Regarding Greece's image in Brussels, Mr. Schinas emphasized that "the improvement of the country's brand is widely acknowledged, which is related to the economy, political stability, and the fact that, for the first time in decades, Europe is not becoming a field of division in the Greek public political dialogue."
When asked if he would like to remain in his position as Commissioner, he commented: "It is a matter of a few days, a few weeks. It is, of course, not something that depends on me; the decision is in the hands of the Greek Prime Minister, and things are rather simple: if he deems it useful for me to continue, I will continue; if he deems that another choice should be made, I will not continue. I assure you that I have many things waiting for me."
"The election of Trump will act as an accelerator for European integration"
When asked about the upcoming U.S. elections and what we should expect or fear in the event of Trump's election, Mr. Schinas estimated that "the election of Trump will act as an accelerator for European integration," explaining that: "I have no doubt that Trump's election will hit all the right alarms to push Europe towards a Europe of action - comparable to vaccines, the Recovery Fund, and, of course, the demands are: first, defense and security, and secondly, the competitiveness and resilience of the European economy. Europe cannot remain idle in this scenario. We must manage our own house."
Regarding defense, he noted that "we must decide what we will do together" within the framework of a common European defense and examine "how we will pay for it." Specifically, on the issue of the funds needed, he noted that "we can find money, as we found it for vaccines or the Recovery Fund," and pointed out that if today Europeans spend a total of 400 billion euros a year on defense and do not have a common defense, we can, with 80-100 billion, have two or three common defense initiatives.
Closing the «Nisyros Dialogues 2024», Mr. Schinas referred to the initiative, highlighting its significance by saying, among other things, that big issues should be discussed in small places like Nisyros island, to whose history, cultural and natural wealth he extensively referred in his speech.
After the sessions, Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos warmly thanked the Founding Members of the Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation, their families, and all those who contributed to the success of the «Nisyros Dialogues» and actively participated as speakers and moderators in this year's «Dialogues».