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It is with great pleasure that I participate in today's event to inaugurate the Akamas Regional Geology and Palaeontology Information Centre. This is a project co-funded by the European Rural Development Fund at a cost of over half a million euros and is the first of its kind Geology and Palaeontology Centre in Cyprus. In order to complete the project, the contribution of the previous Government, the previous competent Ministers, the Paphos District Administration in cooperation with the Pano Arodon Community Council, as well as the other five communities involved in the project, was important - and I would like to salute them - in order to complete the project.
It is no coincidence that the Common Agricultural Policy, at European level, recognising the multifunctionality of the countryside, channelled a large part of the total Union budget, up to 40%, for its support and development. This support is translated through the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy of the countries of the Union, not excluding Cyprus, into co-financed, targeted interventions. In addition to these, the Government uses both financial instruments offered by the European Union and national resources, structures and services of the state to improve the quality of life in the countryside. This is a huge gamble of our own governance that I am sure we will succeed.
As a Government, from the very first moment we have set as a high priority the people of our countryside and the improvement of their living standards. Our plans and actions are aimed at combating urbanization and abandonment of agricultural land. The Government's Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027 provides for total funding of €454 million. We expect that this support will be crucial for the upgrading of agricultural activity and sustainable rural development. We attach particular importance to extending actions to reorganise and improve the functioning of the agricultural sector.
As Government we have an obligation to take a holistic approach, to strengthen the agricultural sector, to create infrastructure for young couples to come and live in the area - where the quality of life is clearly better than in cities - and to solve the housing issue, which is the number one concern of our young people. We need a holistic approach and my presence here, together with the Minister of Interior and the Deputy Minister of Tourism, is part of this holistic approach; no one ministry alone can find solutions and that is why we are here sending the message of our holistic approach.
The aim of the project we are launching today is to inform the public about the Geology and Palaeontology of the Akamas Region, the Rocks and Fossils of the area and more generally about the history of the genesis of Cyprus, which since the beginning of the last century has attracted many geo-scientists and academic institutions from all parts of the world.
Therefore, any effort to record, understand and highlight the geological history of our country is at the same time an act that promotes the information and education of both the local population and foreign visitors and contributes to the upgrading of the tourist product of Cyprus.
Therefore, the Centre should be promoted as a special destination within the framework of the promotion of the tourist product of our country, while the Ministry of Education will do the same in relation to the visitation by the schools of Paphos and the whole of free Cyprus.
Through the halls of the Akamas Geology and Palaeontology Information Centre, the geological wealth of the region is highlighted, which has played its own important role in shaping the topography of Akamas - which is unique, as the whole area is endowed with impressive landscapes, a significant number of sites of geological interest, and in the development of a significant number of endemic species of flora and fauna, which constitute the unique biodiversity of Akamas.
Geology is inextricably linked to the history and socio-economic development of the people of the region. The greatest proof of this are the stone structures of unique architecture found in the communities of the region, in houses, churches, and others.
Apart from the important exhibits, of particular interest is the appropriately designed activity room for students, from kindergarten to high school, with a variety of activities, educational programs, digital practices, tele-education and various other activities, where students can pleasantly spend their time learning about the geological I am aware of the effort made by the Pano Arodon Community Council in collaboration with the Paphos District Administration to complete the project as well as the contribution of the Geological Survey Department in securing the exhibits of rocks, minerals and fossils, geological maps, and all that we will see in the museum. For all these reasons you are to be congratulated.
A museum should never be static. I am convinced that all relevant government agencies will be at your side to constantly enrich the museum with new exhibits and update its material according to the results of the latest scientific studies, so that it will constantly be an attraction for learning and information.
Initiatives such as the creation of the Museum we are inaugurating today highlight the important role of local government and the close cooperation between local and governmental bodies, and the results are what we see before us today. I am sure that this Museum will be the starting point for more actions for the promotion of the region. In the community of Pano Arodon, works amounting to 1.1 million euros are being carried out, while another 30 thousand euros will be granted to the community.
I could not fail to mention the issue of Akamas, the sustainable development of which is a priority of the Government. This is precisely why the Council of Ministers, after a dialogue with the communities - a dialogue that will continue, I have been asked for a meeting, which will be arranged to look at the problems and challenges that exist - decided in August on 11 actions/compensatory measures aimed at strengthening the development activity of the communities of Akamas, with a total implementation budget of € 35.8 million for the period 2024-2028. The implementation of the measures is coordinated by a team of officials who monitor the progress of the actions. An issue which has been of concern to the local community for at least the last 40 years has found a solution. I know that some people are not satisfied so we will continue the dialogue. I promise that we will be by your side and I will personally ask for regular updates and make sure that all the measures, problems and challenges are being implemented.
It would be hypocrisy on my part if I did not also refer to the issue that has arisen in recent weeks regarding the projects within the national forest park and I would like to say the following. It was designed by expert planners with a clear policy direction to improve the road in an environmentally friendly manner and with minimal impact on the habitats of the area, while taking into account the safety of citizens travelling through the park. The on-site investigation has shown that the projects planned for years in the National Forest Park, now in their implementation stage, appear to be larger in size and severity than what we would like to see within the Forest Park as a Natura site. It was therefore decided that what has been planned so far will be re-evaluated in the short term and what is deemed excessive will be corrected. I can assure you that the projects will go ahead and will be implemented with environmental protection, visitor safety and benefits to the communities in mind. In this regard, following my instructions, a site visit and review of the White River - Lara road is being organized on December 16 to ensure the immediate completion of works on the 9 km White River - Lara road
Its implementation will be monitored by a working group of officials from the relevant Departments, headed by the Director General of Environment, who is with us today. At the same time, the restoration of the affected habitats on the sides will be initiated as the impact is estimated to be restorable.
The improved road will have great benefits to the environment and the communities in the area as the movement of visitors will be on a controlled route. It will also minimize dust, which is a major factor in the degradation of Akamas' habitats, and will help reduce the number of accidents that occur every year and are attributed to the existing poor road surface.
In conclusion, I want to congratulate those who inspired and worked towards the realization of this museum. It is important that a young Cypriot is leading this effort. Whatever the problems and difficulties, nothing is built without vision, effort and love for its place.
(PM/EAth/AF)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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