Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides announced on Saturday that work would resume promptly in the Akamas region, aimed at completing temporarily suspended road projects. The President said the issue would be included in the agenda of the Cabinet in February.
The President decided a halt to works in the Akamas region last November, after concerns about roadworks deviating from the agreed framework on the National Akamas Forest Plan.
During statements to the press at the inauguration of projects in the Akamas Inia community, President Christodoulides said he would revisit the area before June, accompanied by the Ministers of Interior and Agriculture, along with the Deputy Minister of Tourism, to evaluate project implementation.
President Christodoulides visited the community on Saturday morning, inaugurating the themed route “Aphrodite” and subsequently unveiling the community’s core redevelopment project and the Inia-Lara Turtle Exhibition and Educational Center. The President, joined by Government Spoke
sperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis and Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment Maria Panayiotou, expressed support in local efforts.
The “Aphrodite Themed Route” project in Inia was financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility – NextGenerationEU and implemented under the national Recovery and Resilience Plan. The other two projects were funded by national resources. In his inauguration speech, the President stressed that “Akamas constitutes a crucial environmental and cultural asset for our country and a significant part of Europe’s natural and cultural heritage.”
He further outlined the government’s multi-action plans for the period 2024-2028, which will provide substantial support for Akamas’ economic development. These plans include the implementation of the Sustainable Development Plan for the National Akamas Forest Park and specialized support measures for Akamas communities.
The President noted that a month ago, the Cabinet made a “difficult but imperative decision” regarding
the region, introducing changes related to the implementation of the projects of the Sustainable Development Plan for the National Akamas Forest Park.
“In light of actions or omissions related to its implementation, the Government decided on a reassessment of the projects and functions of the National Akamas Forest Park within a specific framework and schedule for project commencement and completion that will not allow further unnecessary delays,” he said.
President Christodoulides reiterated the “will and determination of the Government” and himself personally “to ensure that the Sustainable Development Plan is implemented in a way that does not distort its philosophy and principles.”
He expressed the commitment to rectify mistakes, omissions, and exaggerations that would distort the essence of the Plan and negate its purposes and goals.
Source: Cyprus News Agency