ATHENS — The pilot programme for the zero-carbon electrification and energy autonomy of the island of Astypalea is actively entering the implementation phase, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Costas Fragogiannis said on Friday, in an interview with the state broadcaster ERT1.

Fragogiannis has been on the island since Thursday, accompanied by officials from the four Greek ministries involved and four senior executives from the car manufacturer Volkswagen.

"We mean what we say and turn it into action," he said, explaining that a number of meetings have started to be held since Thursday, with representatives of the South Aegean Region, municipal authorities and the island's associations, as well as bus drivers, taxi owners, car and motorbike rental firms, and all categories of employees involved in the programme.

"We are entering the implementation phase, we have created working groups. Each working group will deal with its own pillar, electricity, hybrid power generation, transport," he said.

He clarified that the programme, which is now underway, will be completed in five years.

"We start with transport and electromobility, with a programme of subsidies from the Greek government and special prices from Volkswagen for the cars that will be sold on the island. Also, of course, by informing the residents, who must fully understand the programme, how it works, what applies and what it means for them. So they understand the benefits they themselves will have and, of course, understand the benefits for our country," he noted.