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- Ελληνικά
It was signed today, at the Presidential Palace, during a joint press conference of the Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki and the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Dr Athena Michaelidou, Memorandum of Cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the non-profit association Safe Water Sports (SWS).
The purpose of this Memorandum is to develop cooperation for safety in the aquatic environment and the prevention of drowning and marine accidents. The agreement was signed, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, by Deputy Minister to the President Mrs. Irene Piki and, on behalf of SWS, by Mr. Panagiotis Paschalakis.
The cooperation with SWS is considered important for the implementation and completion of the interventions of the Action Plan for "Safety in the aquatic environment, prevention of drowning and marine accidents", which was prepared in February 2024 and approved by a decision of the Council of Ministers. Through the Memorandum, the scope of coordination is specifically defined, which includes, inter alia, the adoption of further initiatives aimed at raising awareness of society and enhancing safety in the aquatic environment, as well as the transfer of know-how to the Republic of Cyprus in relation to international practices in the field of water safety, without any financial burden on the state. It is noted that SWS has been active since 2015, implementing pro bono initiatives and related actions in cooperation with public and private sector entities in Greece and Cyprus.
During the press conference, the Deputy Minister to the President presented the progress in the implementation of the Action Plan, while the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth presented in particular the actions concerning the Safe Swimming Programme for the acquisition of skills for children up to 12 years old and the Educational Programme for safety in the aquatic environment.
In order to monitor the progress of the implementation of the Action Plan, but also to make specific recommendations for its further development, a committee was set up in February, under the supervision of the Minister of State under the Presidency, a special inter-ministerial committee with representatives of the Ministries of Defence, Justice and Public Order, Interior, Transport, Communications and Works, Education, Sports and Youth, Health, and the Deputy Ministries of Maritime Affairs and Tourism.
The Action Plan includes the operation of a Port Police Information System, public information tools (website "Safe Water Sports" & "Safe Water Sports App"), Safe Swimming Programme for the acquisition of swimming skills for children up to 12 years old, Educational Programme for Safety in the Aquatic Environment, Modernisation of the Legislative Framework, Establishment of a National Drowning Day and an Accident Observatory.
(PM/MS/AF)
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