From 11 to 14 July 2016, the Vikos-Aoos Geopark area was visited by a special mission from the Unesco Global Geoparks to assess the progress made in the two years since the previous evaluation, which took place in August 2014.
The delegation consisted of Mr Antonio Duarte, an economist from Portugal, and Mr Timo Kluttig, a geographer from Germany, both representatives of Unesco Global Geoparks in their respective countries.
The mission began on the morning of Tuesday, 12 July 2916 with a discussion and general briefing at the offices of Ipiros S.A., which is also the headquarters of the Geopark, followed by a meeting with the Regional Governor of Epirus, Mr. Alexandros Kachrimanis.
Following this, the delegation visited the Municipality of Zagori and had a meeting with the Mayor of Zagori, Mr. Spyrou, and representatives of local bodies, and immediately afterwards, an update on the National Park's activities followed at the offices of the Management Body of the Northern Pindos National Park.
The delegation then visited the monuments of the wider area of Kipoi – Kookouli as well as the thematic route of the Geopark at Skala Vradetou, while also being informed about the geo-trails that have been mapped out in the Geopark and are displayed by special signs.
The following day, there was a visit to the Vikos viewpoint «Oxia» in the Monodendri area, as well as to the Voidomatis River, where the Geopark's thematic trail showcases the environmental characteristics and prehistoric human societies. In the evening, a visit was made to the Geopark Information Centre in Megalo Papigo and a meeting was held with representatives of local bodies.
The next day, the UNESCO Global Geopark routes were presented in Papingo and the delegation departed for the Klidonia, Konitsa region, where they visited the Geopark – National Park Information Centre and the Geopark route at Voidomatis. Subsequently, they visited the Aoos Gorge and were informed about its special geological significance on the basis of the Geopark thematic signs at the gorge's entrance.
A meeting then took place at Konitsa Town Hall with the Mayor of Konitsa, Mr Papaspyrou, and representatives of local bodies. This was followed by a visit to the Konitsa Municipality Information Centre and the thematic geopark route in Epano Konitsa.
The mission concluded with a discussion lasting several hours «behind closed doors» at the offices of H Epirus S.A. on the afternoon-evening of Wednesday 13 July 2016.
From the Geopark's perspective, the mission members were accompanied by Messrs Charitakis Papaioannou, Georgia Kitsaki, Panagiotis Paschos, Dimitrios Exarchou, while the Director of Epirus SA, Mr. Gerasimos Papaielias, also participated in the crucial discussions.
The members of the delegation from the Unesco Global Geoparks departed on Thursday 14th July 2016, taking with them all the information they needed. At the next meeting of the Unesco Global Geoparks, which is scheduled for 28th September 2016 in England, the decision will be announced following discussion and voting by all members of the Unesco Global Geoparks.
Until then….. patience……….
