The Greek Archipelago: A Unique Representative Case-Study of Differential Legal Status and of Double Insularity

Abstract

Greece’s insular space results into the birth of a unique case of double insularity in Europe where smaller islands act as satellites of bigger ones and depend upon them much more than on the mainland. Adoption of laws, public policies, the organization of public administration and the issue of administrative acts take into account this condition. The implementation of the principle of insularity is analyzed and clarified through two case-studies, law 4361/2016 on the “Regulation of issues concerning the transfers of soldiers, personnel care and other provisions” as well as law 4551/2018 on the “Implementation mechanism, state supervision, general conditions for the implementation of the transport equivalent. Insularity should not be considered as a reason for providing unjustifiable rights and privileges, but as a principle which should be taken into consideration and respected by the legislator and the administration in order to overcome the vulnerability of the islanders and counterbalance for the harsh conditions suffered due to geographic isolation.