Upgrading Crete’s infrastructure, strengthening its strategic role in the Eastern Mediterranean, and protecting and showcasing its natural wealth were at the centre of a visit to Heraklion on Friday, 16 October, by Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou.
The minister referred to the Crete-Attica power interconnector, seismic surveys that Chevron will begin in 2026 in the Ionian Sea, south of the Peloponnese and south of Crete, and the completion of the Northern Road Axis of Crete. As he put it, “Crete is changing. It is turning a page, upgrading and becoming both an energy and a tourism hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Opening of the Natural History Museum of Crete’s revamped permanent exhibition
Stavros Papastavrou opened the revamped permanent exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Crete, part of the University of Crete, in Heraklion. Those attending the event included Archbishop of Crete Eugenios; New Democracy MPs for Heraklion Konstantinos Kefalogiannis and Maximos Senetakis; Crete Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis; Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos; Minoa Pediada Mayor Vassilis Kegeroglou; Malevizi Mayor Menelaos Bokeas; University of Crete Rector Giorgos Kontakis; Director of the Natural History Museum of Crete Nikos Poulakakis; Secretary of the Decentralised Administration of Crete Maria Kozyraki; president of the Heraklion prefectural committee of New Democracy Kostas Giannoulakis; and representatives of first- and second-tier local government and local organisations.
The museum’s infrastructure was upgraded and modernised with €5.7 million in funding from the Ministry of Environment and Energy through the Recovery and Resilience Fund, as part of the national Greece 2.0 plan, financed by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme and with support from the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA). The revamped exhibition spaces showcase the geological history, ecosystems and biodiversity of Crete and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The minister described the revamped exhibition as “a project that brings science closer to the public”, noting that it was the result of cooperation between the University of Crete, the Municipality of Heraklion, the Region of Crete, NECCA and the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
“Together, we are joining forces to showcase Crete’s unique biodiversity. At the same time, we want to raise awareness among future generations, among young people, so that they protect our precious natural environment. Protecting and showcasing our natural heritage remains a firm priority,” Stavros Papastavrou said, congratulating those who created the exhibition on its quality and scientific rigour.
Memorandum of understanding between Heraklion’s new international airport and NECCA
Earlier, the minister visited Heraklion’s new international airport, where he was briefed on the progress of construction and attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the airport and the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA).
The cooperation aims to inform travellers and raise their awareness about protecting Crete’s natural environment. The goal, Stavros Papastavrou noted, is for visitors to understand from the moment they arrive the importance attached to the island’s sustainable development.
The minister also referred to the new Special Spatial Planning Framework for Tourism, drawn up in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Minister Olga Kefalogianni. As he stressed, the framework seeks to balance tourism development with environmental protection, a goal to which the new airport is also expected to contribute.
Meeting with Archbishop of Crete Eugenios
During his visit to Heraklion, Stavros Papastavrou met with Archbishop of Crete Eugenios. Their discussion focused on the Archdiocese’s spiritual, social and cultural work, as well as its initiatives to protect the environment.
“The Ministry of Environment and Energy and I personally continue to stand firmly and unwaveringly behind the work of the Church,” the minister said, highlighting its longstanding contribution, particularly to vulnerable groups, and the Government’s support for its social work.