Greek maritime policy and geopolitical discussions

Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, has addressed both domestic political disputes and international maritime concerns.

In a parliamentary debate, Kikilias defended the Hellenic Coast Guard against allegations from Kyriakos Velopoulos, president of the Greek Solution party, who claimed Coast Guard vessels avoid confrontations with Turkish fishing boats. Kikilias demanded a retraction, stating the remarks insult personnel who work in hazardous conditions to protect maritime borders. He noted that violations regarding Turkish fishing activity are documented and referred to prosecutors.

During the 25th NAVIGATOR 2026 forum, Kikilias emphasized that the shipping industry’s green transition should not negatively impact citizens, noting that maritime developments influence global inflation and energy prices. He highlighted how geopolitical conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Persian Gulf, contribute to global economic instability.

More recently, Kikilias addressed the maritime memorandum between Turkey and Libya, asserting that the Greek government will not take “even a single step back” regarding the country’s sovereign rights. Regarding domestic maritime operations, he met with the Mayor of Rafina-Pikermi to discuss managing increased traffic and safety challenges at the Rafina port.

To support the domestic shipping sector, Kikilias announced that ferry fares are expected to remain stable for 2025 and 2026 despite fuel price pressures. He also noted the approval of a 60 million euro fund to support small islands and unprofitable routes, while calling on European institutions to grant member states more fiscal flexibility to assist citizens during crises.