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It is with great pleasure that I am here today at the annual "Afamia - Vine Festival", in Koilani, on behalf of the President of the Republic, who, due to other unfulfilled obligations, could not be with us today.
Koilani, as a traditional wine village of Limassol, is not only an important pillar of Cyprus' wine production, but is also a picturesque community, with its amphitheatrical location and popular architecture reminiscent of other times. In particular, the historic vineyards on Afamis, the mountain that dominates the west of the village, complete the idyllic picture of an area that has always supplied Cyprus with unique agricultural products, special people, ideas and culture. I therefore extend my warmest congratulations to the organized groups of the community for this initiative, which is an attraction for local and foreign visitors.
My presence at today's event confirms the importance that the Nicos Christodoulides Government attaches to the particularly sensitive wine sector and symbolizes the priority it gives to the preservation and development of wine-growing areas. The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, is making every effort to support the wine sector. We fully understand that the success of the wine sector is related to the continuous and major challenges, which must be tackled drastically. It is for this reason that we keep alive the dialogue with local authorities, producer organisations, farmers' organisations and other bodies close to the people - vine-growers - winemakers, develop actions both at national and international level and strengthen the sector in every possible way.
The Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy for the programming period 2023-2027 takes into account the specific Cypriot conditions of production, processing and marketing in the wine sector as well, aiming at its total return to a path of development. Building on the competitive advantage of Cyprus, based on the historical indigenous vineyard, the rare indigenous varieties, and the uniqueness of "Koumandaria", the competitiveness and qualitative progress of Cypriot wines, the sustainability of the traditional viticultural landscape and wine communities, the conservation of indigenous varieties, the adaptation to climate change, as well as the nutritional security and health of consumers are sought. Therefore, for the period up to 2027, more than EUR 22 million will be made available to vine growers and winegrowers through the Strategic Plan's interventions in the wine sector.
Friends,
In closing, I would like to congratulate again the Koilani Community Council, the Koilanians Club and all those who worked for this beautiful event. Every effort for the progress, promotion and promotion of the wine sector and the traditional products of our region finds the Government as a supporter and supporter. Thank you very much and I wish you a lot of fun.
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