It is with great pleasure that I am here today to address the Feast of Chrysomilia, organised by the association "Free Saint Ambrose of Kyrenia". Congratulations are due to the members of the association, who continue to organize this event in the refugee area, keeping alive the hope that it will soon be held in its natural place, in the beautiful village of Agios Ambrosios in Kyrenia.
In Cyprus, the cultivation of the golden apple tree developed from ancient times in the gardens of the ancient city of Makaria, near Agios Ambrosios. The ideal soil and climate conditions of the area and the abundant water made Agios Ambrosios the village of golden apples, since the area produced early, sweet and fragrant golden apples, famous all over Cyprus. In fact, in a 1971 survey, the number of golden apple trees in Agios Ambrosios exceeded ten thousand.
The Department of Agriculture, in its effort to preserve traditional varieties of deciduous trees, has identified two varieties of Agiambrosite golden apples, the Kotsinouthkia and the Dipla, samples of which have been installed in the Department's plantation for the preservation of traditional deciduous fruit trees in Saitta.
Today, the golden apple is a fairly important crop for Cyprus, especially in the mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, since, under the right conditions, it can be a good source of income for the producer, while contributing to the retention of the population in the countryside. According to recent data from the Statistical Office, the cultivated area of golden apple in Cyprus is 185 hectares and the production amounts to about 1,000 tons, with a value of around 1.3 million euros.
Friends,
In recent years, Cypriot agriculture has been facing many challenges. The Government is making every effort towards meeting these challenges, having put in place all available financial instruments. From 2014, when the current period of the Rural Development Programme has started, until this year, when its transitional period ends, a total of more than €850 million will have been specifically allocated to our agricultural community from European and national funds. In order to further support agricultural activity and the sustainable development of rural areas, the new Common Agricultural Policy until 2027 is expected to play a decisive role, in the design of which we actively participated, including provisions favourable to our country.
At the same time, in line with EU policies, we have extended the actions to reorganise and improve the functioning of the agricultural sector. The reform of the risk management sector in agricultural production, as well as legislation to tackle Unfair Commercial Practices in the agri-food supply chain and improve the functioning of farmers' markets for the benefit of our farmers are just some of them. In addition, we attach particular importance to the promotion of the uniqueness of Cypriot products. The registration of halalumi as a Protected Designation of Origin product is a collective success, while our constant aim is to register other agricultural products in the European Union's lists of geographical indications. In the same direction, at the national level, we have created a bill for the establishment of the award of the Cyprus Label to quality agricultural products of our country.
In conclusion, I would like again to express my congratulations to the association "Free Agios Ambrosios Kyrenia" for the organization of this beautiful celebration. I hope that such events, which keep the memory of our occupied villages unquenched and demonstrate the will to return, will continue to take place with the same fervour and enthusiasm until the day of return to our occupied lands.
(BG)
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