Ioannis Tsamichas meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch | Cross-Border European Program

Ilia religious, environmental, educational and nature tourism destination! – THROUGH CLAIMING RESOURCES FROM CROSS-BORDER EUROPEAN PROGRAMS

– With Ecumenical Patriarchate and I.M. The proposals of the Municipalities for the inclusion of projects and actions in the European Programs – the visit of the Ilian Delegation to Istanbul “hit the spot”
– the Greek-Italian Chamber is a “guide” while the joint initiative is supported by the Ilian Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection Andreas Nikolakopoulos

The important benefits of the Cross-Border European programs will be sought to be utilized by three Municipalities of Ilia, and three others of Lower Italy, together with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Foundation for Patristic Studies and the Holy Metropolis of Ilia, having the practical support of the Ilia Deputy Minister of Protection of Citizen Andreas Nikolakopoulos and their “guide” is the Greek-Italian Chamber of Athens.

The main conclusion drawn from the three-day visit of the Ilian Delegation and the Hellenic-Italian Chamber to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, through the discussions held with the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomeus, who is an Honorary Citizen of the Municipalities of Pyrgos, Andravida Kyllini and Ancient Olympia, is clear: “Ilia can and must become a religious, environmental, educational and nature-loving tourist destination. A destination that will attract visitors throughout the year with significant benefits for the local economy.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch gladly responded to the call of the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection of Ilio Mr. Andreas Nikolakopoulos, the Mayors of Pyrgos Stathis Kanni, Andravida Kyllini Yiannis Lentza and Ancient Olympia Aristidis Panagiotopoulos as well as the President of the Hellenic Italian Chamber Yiannis Tsamihas, realizing that the benefits of the partnership and the possible inclusion of proposals from the Municipalities, the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Foundation for Patriarchal Studies and the Holy Metropolis of Ilia in the European programs MED, HORIZON, ADRION, will be multiple and will spread in various sectors, for the benefit of local societies.

In essence, through this most important initiative, the Church, Local Government and the Hellenic-Italian Chamber, with the support of the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection Andreas Nikolakopoulos, are creating a strong consortium of partners seeking the “marriage” of religious, sightseeing-environmental, educational and nature tourism with the culture, taking advantage of the comparative advantages of the Municipalities in Ilia and lower Italy.

Mr. Bartholomeos pointed out that weight should be given to the implementation of actions and programs of environmental interest, given that in this specific field he has a rich work to show, at a global level, which contributed to his being characterized by the media as the “Green” Patriarch” of the Mayors is the further strengthening of the visitation in their Municipalities and in Ilia, as, as they pointed out, it cannot be exhausted within the very short summer season, but it must be extended by attracting visitors throughout the year.

In the meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, in addition to the Metropolitan of Ilia and the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection, the Mayors of Pyrgos, Andravidas – Kyllini and Ancient Olympia and the President of the Hellenic-Italian Chamber, the Most Reverend Bishop of Amor, Mr. Nikiforos, president of the Patriarchal Foundation for Patristic Studies, participated , Abbot of the Stavropigian Holy Monastery of Vlatan. Also Ms. Ioanna Kliari, Head of Educational Programs of the Patriarchal Foundation for Paternal Studies and Mr. G. Sarantopoulos and G. Garifallos.

The Metropolitan of Ilia and Oleni, Mr. Athanasios emphasized: “From the moment we were informed about the efforts of the local political authorities for our connection with Great Greece, we blessed the effort and we give a thundering present to the claim of European resources that we need in order to transform the blessed and historical place of Ilia in a religious, environmental, educational and nature-loving tourist destination. The historic Holy Monasteries, our camps, our lands in Dibri, Spata and Skafidia are our guarantees. They are built and maintained depending on what the experts will recommend to us.”

The President of the Hellenic-Italian Chamber Mr. Ioannis Tsamichas emphasized: “The procedures for submitting proposals to cross-border programs have several stages. The first one starts with the central idea, continues with finding the partners and ends with the creation of the joint venture. I consider that the acceptance by A.Th.P. Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew, also known as the “Green” Patriarch, for the joint submission of proposals to the cross-border programs of the European Union gives us the possibility of creating a strong consortium of partners. We will submit proposals, depending on the programs to be announced such as promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account ecosystem-based approaches, promoting the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy, strengthening the protection and conservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution as well as other territorial strategies.”

Sources:

1. https://www.ilidakampos.gr/index.php/politiki-ellada/56315-i-ileia-thriskeftikos-perivallontologikos-ekpaideftikos-kai-fysiolatrikos-touristikos-proorismos-meso-tis-diekdikisis-poron-apo-ta-diasynoriaka-evropaika-programmata
2. https://www.ilidakampos.gr/index.php/politiki-ellada/56357-proedros-ellinoitalikou-epimelitiriou-meta-tin-synantisi-me-ton-oikoumeniko-patriarxi-proanaggellei-synantisi-me-ton-papa-tis-romis