In response to the uproar caused by the revelation of construction work for a luxury hotel on the famous iconic Sarakiniko beach, on the island of Milos, the Greek Ministry of Tourism has issued a statement deflecting any responsibility for the project.

Following the Ministry of Environment and Energy’s order to halt the construction, the ministry of tourism was also compelled to take an official stance on the matter, shifting the blame to the Urban Planning Department.

In its official statement the tourism ministry mentions among other things that all legal procedures were followed emphasizing that the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (PPP) was granted after the submission of a signed and completed declaration of the project’s inclusion in the PPP by the project contractor.

The decision to include the project in the PPP by the Regional Tourism Service of the Cyclades (PTS) took place on July 24, 2024, following the submission of all necessary supporting documents accompanying the declaration, according to the ministry; and it was approved as it met all legal requirements such as the building conditions certificate and the required approvals from the Municipality of Milos’ Urban Planning Department (YDOM).

The ministry argues that this document confirmed that the entire installation was in compliance with the relevant urban and spatial planning regulations, establishing that it was not located in a protected zone or special building restriction areas.

It had the required approval certifications from the Forestry Service and the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, while the coastal boundary and stream demarcations had also been approved.

Finally, the ministry stresses that any subsequent issues or omissions should be traced back to the relevant certifications issued by other services and authorities, as mentioned in the approval of building conditions by the Municipality of Milos’ Urban Planning Department, prior to the approval of the PPP by the PTS.

The tourism ministry, through its statement is attempting to direct any responsibility for construction taking place at the famous Sarakiniko beach to those agencies such as the Urban Planning Department who initially signed and approved its licensing despite it not seeming to fulfil all legal requirements.

In any case, the issue will most likely be resolved in court, with all parties involved putting the blame on the other side.