The sea has always been Greece’s silent force. It is part of who we are — shaping our civilization and our history, feeding our people and nurturing our spirit.
Last month at the UN Oceans conference on France’s Mediterranean coast, I made a promise to honour that unique marine heritage — and to protect it for generations to come.
Today I am delivering on that promise with the establishment of two new Marine National Parks – one in the Ionian Sea, and the other in the Southern Cyclades, in the iconic Aegean.
These parks will be among the largest marine protected areas in the entire Mediterranean.
They will allow us to meet the target of protecting 30% of our territorial waters by 2030 way ahead of schedule.
They will be vast sanctuaries for life beneath the waves.
They will also help to preserve ecosystems, restore balance, and set a bold new standard for marine conservation.
And perhaps most importantly, inside these marine zones the hugely damaging practice of bottom trawling will be banned.
If you’ve watched Sir David Attenborough’s extraordinary new documentary “Ocean” you will know why the creation of these marine parks matters so much.
“Ocean” is a profoundly moving film, but one that both informs and inspires. And it reminded me, as I hope it reminds all of us, that the sea is not just beautiful scenery. It is life itself. Delicate. Powerful. And under threat.
Sir David’s film deepened my commitment to go beyond managing the sea — to reimagine our relationship with it. Not as owners. But as custodians.
We will protect, yes. But we will also educate, collaborate, and lead.
Working with local communities, local fishermen, scientists, but also global partners, we will make these parks examples of what is possible. By doing this, Greece can be a voice for the sea, in Europe, but also beyond.
Because when we protect our ocean, we protect our own future.
