It is with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to join you tonight for the inauguration of the Modern Technologies for Sustainable Development Exhibition Centre. The centre is housed in the building of the Traditional Bakaliko and is a model for the applications of the Hybuild research project, jointly organised by the FOSS Energy Sustainability Research Unit of the University of Cyprus and the Municipality of Aglantzia.
As the former Mayor of Aglantzia, I participated in the discussions and decisions of the Municipal Council of the Municipality in 2017 with the University of Cyprus, for the preparation of this study on the use of modern technologies for sustainable development and the implementation of the project, in the place where we are tonight. And I feel particularly pleased that our vision was completed by the current Municipal Council and today we are all happy to deliver to our citizens this very important project. Dear Mayor, my friend Andreas Constantinou, dear members of the city council, I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.
I believe that the pioneering project that we are inaugurating today is of great importance and value for the core of Old Aglantzia, because here Aglantzians of all ages will have the opportunity to get to know the field of energy saving. The building will also serve as a multifunctional space, where other activities such as scientific lectures and cultural events will be organized.
The cooperation of the Municipality of Aglantzia with the University of Cyprus for the European Hybuild Programme started, as I mentioned before, in 2017. The decision of the Municipal Council to cooperate with the FOSS Energy Sustainability Unit to implement the objectives of the research project was based on the fact that there would be mutual benefit from this cooperation. Moreover, synergies such as this strengthen the relationship between the University Community and the Local Authority, which is a high goal of both institutions.
The fruit of the cooperation between the Municipality of Aglantzia and the University of Cyprus proves that it is possible to implement remarkable and innovative projects. For this reason, the effort should continue in the future in other areas as well.
I am pleased that a pioneering project has been successfully completed by the working group, whose members I thank warmly and wish you every success in your work.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that as the Ministry of Defence we have set as one of the axes of action the development of Research and Innovation capabilities for the direct and effective support of the country's military capabilities. To this end, we have funded two actions with a total funding of EUR 900 thousand, and a similar action is planned with two additional projects. We have secured €3 million from the recovery fund for dual use technologies. Under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) we are supporting 10 proposals with funding, in addition to European funding, of EUR 400,000 and we will do likewise for the European Defence Fund (EDF) where we have supported 19 proposals and are awaiting the results of their evaluation.
In terms of environmental actions, the Ministry, in cooperation with AHK and the Ministry of Energy, is changing the energy consuming lamps in all the camps with LED type with a 67% saving.
Furthermore, we are in the final stage of examining our application for approval by the European Commission for funding of 19 million euros. Euro for the installation of photovoltaic systems in 56 camps that will have an output of 19000 megawatts per year and will contribute 2.2% of the total renewable energy targets of the Republic of Cyprus until 2030.
Once again thank you for the honorary invitation and I wish you all the best.
(IK)
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