The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended today, Friday 20 December 2024, the inauguration ceremony of the new seat of the Ionian Islands Region, on Corfu, in the premises of the Old Courthouse.

The Minister was received by the Head of the Region of Ionian Islands Ioannis Trepeklis. Subsequently, the Consecration was officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and the Diapontian Islands Mr Nektarios.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of the Interior Vasilis Spanakis, the MPs Dimitrios Biagis and Alexandros Avlonitis, the Mayor of North Corfu Georgios Machimaris, the Mayor of Central Corfu Stefanos Poulimenos, the Mayor of South Corfu Vasilios Chimariotis and His Eminence the Catholic Archbishop of Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefallonia father Georgios Altouvas.

Other people present were the Dean of the Ionian University Andreas Floros, delegations of the Armed and Security Forces, members of the Regional Council, the Local Self-government and the Judiciary, the former Head of Region of the Ionian Islands Spyros Spyrou, as well as citizens.

In his address, the Minister of National Defence stressed the following:

“Please allow me to be a little moved, at a personal level.

I began my career at this building in 1987, when I was discharged from the Army. I was, at the time, an apprentice of the brilliant lawyer of Corfu, President of the Association of Lawyers, Stefanos Fakiolas and we passed, along with Alekos and Dimitris, numerous hours in these halls, trying, as officials of Themis, to steer things towards a more exact administration of Justice.

With regards to the building, you know its history, the Courthouse was built after many efforts. I would like, at this point, to acknowledge the contribution of Anastasis Papaligouras who was Minister of Justice at the time. You remember that the initial view was to leave it unfinished or half-finished, but finally we managed to complete the project. Spyros Spyrou as Head of the Region, submitted subsequently the request to the Minister of Justice at the Time, Mr Roupakiotis, who, when I saw him, eagerly accepted the bestowal to the Region. And I would like to refer to him, although he comes from a political background completely different from my own.

And today this building, after so many years, with Giannis Trepeklis as Head of the Region, is finally bestowed to the people of Corfu.

Dear Deputy Minister you will have to forgive me, I certainly am a Minister of the Government, but everyone’s soul belongs somewhere and my soul belongs here.

Thank you very much”.