Block 2: Epirus says ‘Yes’ – Corfu local communities say ‘No’
CORFU. Epirus Environment Committee backs “Asopos-1A” by majority – Unanimous opposition from Central Corfu and Diapontia communities – Ionian Islands Regional Authority and Municipal Councils yet to state their positions.
By a majority, the Environment, Spatial Planning and Development Committee of the Region of Epirus issued a positive opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the “Asopos-1A” exploratory well in Block 2 of the Ionian Sea.
The decision was taken at Thursday’s meeting, 24 September, and was officially announced by the Epirus Regional Authority. It concerns the same environmental licensing file, PET 2608016214, for the well located within the Corfu Regional Unit. The opinion is advisory and does not constitute an Environmental Approval Decision (AEPO) or a final licence for the drilling operation.
The development follows the position already taken by the Municipality of Igoumenitsa, which issued a positive opinion on the exploratory phase and the use of the port as a support base, subject to environmental and operational conditions.
Unanimous “no” from local communities
In Corfu, meanwhile, the first collective institutional response from within the Central Corfu municipality has been recorded. The Coordinating Body of Community Presidents of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands unanimously opposed the drilling operation.
The community presidents are calling for the licensing process to be halted, for a specific Appropriate Assessment of the impacts on the Natura protected areas of the Diapontia Islands, and for the Ionian Islands Regional Authority to adopt a clear negative position. They are also calling on the municipalities of the Ionian Islands to form a common front.
The decision of the community presidents, however, does not constitute a decision of the Municipal Council of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands.
Ionian Islands Regional Authority position still pending
In the Ionian Islands Regional Authority, the EIA file has remained posted since 24 August with the explicit indication that it was forwarded “for an opinion”. As of today, Friday 25 September, no newer published opinion on the “Asopos-1A” has been identified on the official website of the Ionian Islands Regional Authority.
No corresponding published decision has so far been identified from the Municipal Councils of Central, North or South Corfu either.
The picture has therefore become clearer: in Epirus, both the Municipality of Igoumenitsa and the Region have issued positive opinions, while in Corfu the community presidents are unanimously opposed. The institutional position of the Ionian Islands Regional Authority and the Corfu Municipal Councils remains pending.
The environmental licensing process is continuing. The positive opinion from Epirus will now be added to the file to be assessed by the competent environmental authority before a decision is taken on the environmental conditions for the exploratory well.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
