[PIO] Address by the President of the Republic at the opening ceremony of "Let's Do it Cyprus"

The President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides delivered the following address at the opening ceremony of "Let's Do it Cyprus", held at the Zygios Fishing Reserve, on 22 October 2023. I am here consciously with the majority of the Cabinet, because the protection of the natural environment in our country is not just a priority of the Government.

And first of all we must show, through our example, the seriousness of the issue and that we mean everything we say, but also because I believe that, as a country, as a State, on this issue we are lagging behind.

We have fallen behind and I would like to thank Mrs Nicholson in particular, because the State is following the example of all of you voluntary organisations, private organisations, who understood the importance of protecting the environment much earlier than we did.

We are at a time when climate change is a threat to all states, especially the states in our region, the states of the Eastern Mediterranean, the states of the wider Middle East. But to get to the point where we don't need to have clean-up campaigns, because our country will be clean, we need first and foremost to build a culture in this direction.

And our presence here today wants to contribute, to put a small stone in the building of this culture in our country. That is why I am particularly happy that we have with us children who are the future of our country, that we all have an obligation towards these children to leave a country in which they can grow up, have their families and always be here.

There are so many members of the Cabinet here from different portfolios because the protection of the environment is a horizontal issue. Especially for our country.

Think about what are among the most important comparative advantages: our sea, our sun, the environment in our country. If we do not protect them - it is not only the issue of the Environment, it is not only the future of these children - there will be no economy in this country, there will be no tourism in this country, this country will not be able to survive.

So, events like today's are very important, and I am very happy that the head of this effort, from our side, is Environment Commissioner Maria Panayiotou. Who, I must acknowledge publicly, is doing an excellent job. We are trying together to protect or meet an obligation that we have.

The ultimate goal will be that we will not have to have these kinds of events because our country will not have to be washed."

(PM/IS)
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