I am particularly happy to be among you at this special event organized by the Doras Community Council again this year, after two years of absence due to the pandemic. These kinds of celebrations, especially after the difficult times we have experienced due to the constraints of the pandemic, apart from the psychological uplift they offer to participants and visitors, promote the culture and tradition of Dora, the wider region of Krasochoria, but also of our Cyprus in general.
The Cypriot countryside, with the scenic beauty created by its unparalleled natural beauty, can be described as an open-air museum, which visitors are invited to experience and enjoy. I am delighted that, as part of the Festival, the organisers have included cycling and walking tours of the "Kordyla" Nature Study Trail and routes near the Community that offer guided tours and an introduction to the local beauty of the area.
Friends,
The Government of Nicos Anastasiades has for years identified the need to strengthen and support the countryside. The President of the Republic himself has sought to revitalise rural areas in order to create the conditions for attracting new families, investors and entrepreneurs for permanent living and professional activity.
To achieve this goal, in 2019, for the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, the Government adopted the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities, with the aim of giving real and substantial support to mountainous and remote areas to enable them to develop touristically, culturally, socially and economically.
An integral part of the development of mountain areas is the improvement of the road network infrastructure and the accessibility and connectivity of these areas with urban centres. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works is working on the construction of the Limassol-Saitta motorway in the area of the mountainous Limassol District, with a total length of 22.5 km, at an estimated cost of €198 million. The design is being promoted in three phases and work on phase A1 started in September 2020 and is expected to be completed around the end of 2023, including the construction of a motorway section of approximately 3.7 km. We are confident that the completion of the project will result in multiple benefits for both traffic safety and the improvement of the living standards in the mountainous areas of Limassol and the reduction of urbanisation.
The budgeted amount for the three-year period 2022-2024 for development projects in rural and mountainous communities exceeds €370 million, an increase of €125 million compared to the three-year period 2019-2021. Major road projects that have been long-standing and long-standing demands of rural and mountainous communities, totalling €350 million, are being put on track for implementation to benefit the development of these areas.
In addition, contributing to the upgrading of the security services offered in mountainous areas, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works is assisting with its competent services, where and where requested, in the construction of infrastructure works to reinforce fire and police stations. In this context, recently, the Ministry of Transport granted a licence for the use of the Lania Police Station building to the Lania Community Council. In this context, with targeted initiatives for the promotion of local products, services and resources, we are strengthening tourism businesses with education and training of staff, we are fully developing and upgrading the Mountain Sports Centres and other businesses, in order to strengthen the tourism product offered in the mountainous areas and to establish rural communities as year-round destinations for alternative forms of tourism. Despite the economic impact caused by the health crisis and the war in Ukraine, the Government has chosen to support home ownership in mountainous areas and the countryside, especially for young couples and young families.
Dear Friends,
The above are just some of the actions of the Anastasiades Government to support the countryside. It is our conviction that only through the development of rural areas and the improvement of the standard of living of the people of the countryside, we will prevent its abandonment and highlight these areas as centres of cultural and economic development.
Today, after two years, we have again the opportunity to revive a journey to the flavours and experiences of our tradition.
Today, after two years, we have the opportunity to revive a journey to the flavours and experiences of our tradition. I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the Community Council of Dora for giving us today the opportunity to take a taste journey with the local traditional products, halloumi, palouche, reishi, and to revive traditional crafts, such as the process of distilling zivania, making haloumi and palouze, kneading and baking bread.
I am sure that all of us visitors to the Festival will make the most of today's beautiful event and have fun while honouring the tradition of our land as the highest form of culture.
(MKY)
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