The assurance that the Government of President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades attaches great importance and makes every effort to preserve the character of the rural communities, but also their cultural identity, Minister of Interior Nikos Nouris gave in his address on Saturday at the inauguration of the Medieval Christmas Village in the community of Fikardo.
In his address at the inauguration of the Christmas Village, which is under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and the support of the Nicosia Region Tourism Development and Promotion Company (NTDPC) of Nicosia and operates with the cooperation of the villages of Mahera, Fikardou, Lazania, Kabios, Agios Epiphanios, Farmakas and Gourris, Mr. Nouris also assured that the Government has set the bar high in the goal of revitalizing rural areas, creating auspicious conditions that will allow the prosperity and progress of residents, development through projects and infrastructure, attracting residents, but also professional activity.
"Practical proof of this is the series of measures and incentives that have been taken on the basis of a holistic and horizontal strategic planning for the support of residents and the promotion of the comparative advantages of the countryside, in order to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in intervention," he stressed.
By way of indication, the Minister of Interior mentioned, among others, that the Government has implemented the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities, as well as the National Tourism Strategy, with most of the actions focusing on mountain communities and rural areas, for the development of agri-tourism and special forms of tourism, while supporting the agricultural and stockbreeding professions, both through the measures of the Rural Development Programme and from national resources, and important road network projects are being implemented.
"Our support also to our local authorities for regeneration, development and upgrading the quality of life of its residents is continuous and increasing," he noted, referring to "generous benefits through housing schemes in mountainous, marginal, disadvantaged and rural areas, as well as the provision of allowances."
Nouris also said that the Government has moved forward with small and family business grants, financial support for youth and women entrepreneurship, and training for young, rural women, and "we have upgraded and continue to enrich the services provided, with particular emphasis on access to better quality health, education and social care services."
Finally, the Minister said that "the creation of provincial clusters creates the conditions for increased administrative, scientific and technical competence in terms of the provision of common services by local authorities, with the ultimate goal of providing all citizens, wherever they live, with quality and upgraded services at the lowest possible cost."
Source: KYPE
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
