Kastellorizo: "We have no worries"

Kastellorizo is once again in the spotlight, with the Greek-Turkish tension prevailing in its wider sea area. Pantazis Houlis, who left his career at the University of Western Australia to move permanently to Kastellorizo, says that the residents of Kastellorizo are not worried and have confidence in the organized defense of Greece.

Πανοραμική εικόνα από το νΚαστελλόριζο Source: Πανταζής Χούλης

Pantazis Houlis left Western Australia to return to his great love, Kastellorizo island in Greece. From there, where he lives all year, along with 250 other permanent residents, he spoke to SBS radio Greek. He was asked about the Turkish moves in the seas open from Kastellorizo ​​and whether they cause concern to the residents.

"Nothing affects us here on the island. It is wrong for everyone to point to Kastellorizo ​​as the focus. Whatever is to be done - If anything goes wrong - it will be done openly at sea. No one dares to disturb the residents of the island."

Εικόνα από το Καστελλόριζο Source: Pantazis Houlis

The man who has been described as "the lord of riddles" believes that the tension with Turkey is not a riddle, nor a cause for concern. As a country,Turkey  is in a worse economic situation than Greece, says Pantazis Houlis.

Where the Turkish lira has fallen, they will soon have no fuel to sail in the Aegean

He observes an increased readiness on the part of the Greek armed forces in Kastellorizo. In which he has confidence. "The Greek army is organized, not like the rebels of Syria and Libya, Turkey is used to fight. The other side knows that. They will not dare to touch Kastellorizo ​​for another reason, because it has many foreigners, both tourists and permanent residents from abroad".

If they do the slightest thing, a big diplomatic episode will be fuelled.

Ο Πανταζής Χούλης στο Καστελλόριζο Source: Pantazis Houlis

The residents  of the island, says Pantazis Houlis, as normally, they enjoy the summer, to the sound of cicadas and swim on the blue beaches of Kastellorizo. They are trying to revive tourism, which is the main factory of the island, so that they can make ends meet in the winter. Fortunately, tourism has risen compared to the previous month and no case of coronavirus has occurred on the island.

Source: Pantazis Houlis

In Kastellorizo, Pantazis Houlis fights any pervasive aggression with creativity. He has already shipped 800 puzzles to the island and expects another 3,200 from Australia. It is the largest collection in Greece. They will be exhibited in a unique puzzle exhibition, yet another attraction for Kastellorizo.