In the context of the work of the Second Part of the 2023 Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), MP Mr. Nicos Tornaritis, head of the Cypriot delegation to the Assembly, participated yesterday in a plenary debate on the development of political strategies for preparedness and response to natural disasters.
Referring to the recent devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Mr. Tornaritis stressed that, from the very first moment, Cyprus expressed its support and solidarity to both countries, sending valuable humanitarian aid to those affected. He also stressed that the member states of the Council of Europe must adopt effective strategies to ensure that tragedies of this scale are not repeated.
Tornaritis stressed the need to promote government policies and action plans that focus on the development of early warning systems, investment in critical infrastructure and the education of citizens on natural disaster management plans and how to deal with the consequences of natural disasters. The competent national authorities, he added, should review their urban and coastal planning, taking particular account of high-risk areas, and strengthen the safety of existing buildings. Mr. Tornaritis also raised the issue of the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, in a highly earthquake-prone area, stressing the urgent need to take additional safety measures against the risk of a possible unprecedented human and ecological disaster, both for Turkey and the wider region. Tornaritis stressed the importance of drawing lessons from the recent deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and of promoting cooperation at international, regional and national level in order to achieve optimal coordination in the response to natural disasters.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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