The Famagusta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EVEA) demanded the immediate return of Famagusta to its legal residents, the further development of the province of Famagusta and the support of its member companies.
Speaking at the Annual General Assembly of EBF Famagusta, its President Augustinos Papathomas emphatically condemned the Turkish provocations concerning the arbitrary and illegal opening of the enclosed city of Famagusta.
He called on the UN Secretary-General to reopen the office of the Chamber at 26 Gladstonos Street in occupied Famagusta under UN administration, as the first step in implementing Security Council resolutions on the city, as well as to contribute in creating partnerships between the two communities.
After saying that the EVEA had denounced the illegal actions of Turkey to the UN Secretary General, the permanent members of the Security Council and the European Union, he pointed out that "we are determined to move in any direction, inside and outside Cyprus to overturn its illegal plans Ankara ".
Weight Distribution
Mr. Papathomas then demanded that the state distribute the burdens of occupation and invasion equally, so that it is not only the refugees who shoulder them. In this context, he said that the state should explain to the displaced citizens why they should not have priority in using even "temporarily" the properties of the T / C in the free areas and to claim them by some who did not lose their property.
And he added:
"The time has come, albeit belatedly, to implement the policy of equal distribution of burdens of invasion and occupation, so that the displaced are not second-class citizens in their own homeland. For this purpose, EVEA proposes the creation of a body "Management of Occupied Property", but also a special fund that will cover the needs for the payment of the right to lose the use of real estate in the occupied. "
Economy
Referring to the economy, he said that EVEA and the CCCI have taken a number of initiatives to address the effects of the pandemic on businesses and pointed out that state support should continue for vulnerable sectors. Especially for the free province of Famagusta, he asked the state to take additional support initiatives.
After referring to the current problems of the economy and business, he called for the state to proceed with bold reforms in 4 axes, which are the business world, the banking sector, the government and the public service.
Famagusta Free Province
Regarding the free province of Famagusta, he said that it needs a special approach from the state and asked:
- Continue to provide state support to tourism and hotel businesses.
- Incentives for local and foreign investors for new investments in all sectors, Health, Education, Organic crops, etc.
- Promotion of new infrastructure projects in the area.
- Transfer of faculties of the University of Cyprus and TEPAK to the Province - Relocation of AXIK to the free province of Famagusta.
- Support for the unemployed, especially the young.
He also said that he needs:
- Promotion of projects for modern squares in the communities.
- Reconstruction of roads in the area and their tree planting.
- Accelerate the design for the completion of the indoor multipurpose room (Palais De Sports).
- Completion of the Olympic standard swimming pool with heated pool.
- Upgrading of the existing field facilities of the Municipality of Ayia Napa.
- Creation of a golf course and a conference center.
Mr. Papathomas then expressed the opposition of EVEA to the creation of a super-municipality in the free province of Famagusta.
As he characteristically said:
"The creation of a super-Municipality, which will resemble both numerically and geographically with the occupied Municipality of Famagusta, involves the visible risk after a period of 10-20 years to replace the occupied Municipality of Famagusta. We consider that this is nationally unacceptable and that the risk of creating Municipalities of "Nea Famagusta" or "Nea Kyrenia" etc. is visible, as has happened in many cases in the recent past in Greece.
It would weaken the "brand name" of Ayia Napa and Protaras, while the creation of a tourist Municipality with the unification of the Municipalities of Ayia Napa, Sotira and Liopetri, will probably be something unique, since it will extend along a coastline of almost 30 kilometers from Cape Greco to the "Liopetri River", whose reconstruction works have already begun. At the same time, Protaras, which will belong to the Municipality of Paralimni, will maintain its own strong "brand name".
EVEA added, supports the solution for two Municipalities, a model that can serve all our needs and priorities, strengthening the existing structure of Local Government in the region. "
Tourism
For the tourism development of the Free Province of Famagusta it was suggested:
- Increase in air connections especially during the winter months.
- Incentives to combat seasonality.
- New projects of quality tourist infrastructure.
- Promotion of new forms of alternative tourism, such as sports, agriculture, ecology, diving, religious, fishing, conference, etc.
- Reconstruction and management of our Tourist "BRAND Names" - Ayia Napa and Protaras which will lead to the upgrade of our tourist product.
- Largest international promotion of the "BRANDS" of Ayia Napa and Protaras.
Unemployment
To address youth unemployment in the province of Famagusta asked:
- Establishment of a higher school of hotel and food Studies.
- Relocation of other schools in the Province of Famagusta.
- Providing new specialized staff in companies, while at the same time the presence of an increased number of students will stimulate life during the winter months.
- Granting a temporary work permit to workers from third countries, where no local staff is available.
- Modernization of employment policy and criteria for granting leave to foreign workers.
Mr. Papathomas also announced that EVEA and the Piraeus Chamber mark 50 years since their twinning, so various joint events are planned in December 2021 and during 2022.
Finally, he said that despite the problems of the pandemic, EVEA showed strong action in all its areas, supporting its members.
The Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Mrs. Natasa Pileidou, the Mayor of Famagusta Dr. addressed the meeting of EVEA. Simos Ioannou and the President of the CCCI Mr. Christodoulos Agastiniotis.
The meeting was attended by MPs from Famagusta, government officials and businessmen - members of the Chamber.
Greeting of the Mayor of Famagusta Dr. Simos Ioannou
It is with great pleasure that I welcome today the Annual General Assembly of the Famagusta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is attended by so many distinguished friends, but also fellow citizens and associates.
Undoubtedly, the business world of Famagusta with its imaginative actions and initiatives, contributed greatly to the development of the city of Famagusta before 1974 and its transformation into a modern commercial, tourist, industrial and shipping center. A jewel city for Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. Unfortunately, the Turkish invasion in 1974 interrupted the glorious course of our city and scattered the Famagustans on the four horizons.
Despite the huge financial and psychological blow, the Famagusta businessmen raised their stature and with the acquired knowledge and experience and inexhaustible courage, they immediately reactivated in the places that had been established after the violent uprooting, contributing to the well-known economic miracle.
My dear,
The feelings of the people of Famagusta are particularly strong, constantly watching the occupying authorities proceed with the implementation of their illegal plans in the enclosed city.
The Cypriot issue today, after so many years, done and with so many mistakes, has reached a point where the hands of the clock have moved far away from midnight to a point where it is almost impossible to turn back the clock. Therefore, the only real hope left for us is to make a new dawn and make a new beginning.
Even today, under the difficult and tragic conditions created by the fiscal and financial crisis with the pandemic, the Famagusta businessmen are active, both in Cyprus and abroad, with their active participation in the CCCI in dealing with the crisis and its restart. economy. The struggle is hard and difficult for all of us.
That is why all of us who live in exile in all parts of the world, together with our citizens and the entire Cypriot people, must continue to fight, with all our might, daily and systematically, to return to our birthplace. The return of Famagusta and the path to a final solution to the Cyprus problem will be the way forward to take advantage of the geostrategic advantages of Cyprus and to open new horizons of economic development for all Cypriots.
At such critical times, we all realize the importance of unity and understanding between us. I must say that as the Municipal Council of Famagusta we have developed among ourselves and with all the bodies, the organized ensembles and associations of the city, a remarkable level of cooperation and unity. Unity is of course required at a broader level. At the level of political leadership, political forces and society. Unity, however, is not empty of content or abstract meaning. Unity is built on common goals, common priorities and principles. The goal for a solution on the agreed basis and framework, the goal for the reunification of Cyprus.
The Municipality of Famagusta recently carried out an enlightenment campaign together with EVEA both abroad and at home to promote the issue of Famagusta, expanding the turnover between us for the benefit of the citizens of our city and we are very happy for this cooperation. We are sure that we will walk together and do the right thing in the call of the times.
Dear friends,
We insist on keeping our eyes on Famagusta and the hope in our hearts and minds. And we who are here tonight and all the people of Famagusta wherever they are.
As our friend EVEA President Augustinos always points out in his statements, we must all work together to maintain the social fabric of our city. This is achieved through culture, sports and certainly through the activation and strengthening of the economy by the citizens of the city and the province of Famagusta, occupied and free.
Based on the recent developments for the reform of local self-government, as a metropolitan Municipality of the free province of Famagusta we call on all stakeholders to take these decisions that will contribute to the prosperity and development of all Municipalities and Communities of the free region of Famagusta, without feeling of patriotism and unity.
We remain faithful to the spring of Famagusta and all of Cyprus and we must all remain united beyond all our political beliefs, because my dear friends, our party is Famagusta!
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Board. of EVEA for its action and I wish you every success and success of your efforts. I also wholeheartedly wish you every success in the work of your General Assembly.
Greeting of the President of CCCI Chr. Agastinioti
Honorable Minister, dear President of EBF Famagusta, friends members of the Chamber of Famagusta,
It is with mixed feelings that I am attending today the General Assembly of our Chamber. On the one hand I am very happy because I am among dear friends and associates from Famagusta and on the other I am sad because our Assembly is once again away from our beloved Famagusta.
From this official step of the General Assembly, I assure you that the CCCI supports every action you undertake as EBF Famagusta for the return of our city to its legal residents.
And because I listened to you carefully today, Mr. Mayor, when you spoke on the state radio about the local self-government, I want to clarify once and for all the position of the Chambers as far as Famagusta is concerned in relation to the local self-government.
We will not assist the Turks' plans to delete, merge, dissolve or eliminate Famagusta. integrate Famagusta into their own kingdoms.
Because the queen is one. It is ours, it was, it is and it will be the capital of the Province because the lemon-growing land is not suitable for either bazaars or kingdoms;
As you know, last year was very difficult for all of us. The outbreak of the pandemic, the frequent lockdowns and the suspension of operations for most companies, created a vicious circle in the economy and in the business environment.
The CCCI, from the first moment of the manifestation of the pandemic, came forward and with its proposals and suggestions tried to limit the effects on businesses. The government support plans, which really contributed decisively to the strengthening of companies and employees, were made with the assistance of the CCCI, which participated in almost all the meetings, either at the Presidential Palace or at the Ministries of Finance and Labor.
Looking back today, we can say that the state support with millions of euros was brave and really helped companies and workers to withstand the shocks of the crisis.
Today, the picture of the economy and the business climate is definitely better. The main sectors of tourism and real estate have restarted, while the rest of the economy has almost returned to normal. Of course, the wounds inflicted on us by the pandemic are great in both public finances and business. The contraction of GDP by 5.2% in 2020, the "holes" in state coffers and the exposure of companies to large losses, are problems that we have to face.
For this purpose, the CCCI undertakes a series of initiatives that extend: 1. To strengthen the development effort of the country. Improving public finances 3. Empowering businesses
Here I must also mention the extremely important proposal of 66 points that the CCCI with the help of leading scientists that has prepared and has submitted to the Government.
Moving on these axes, we believe that the broader picture of the economy will improve and our businesses will return to profitability.
All this and much more must be promoted now and not tomorrow. We need to make these cuts to be able to put the economy on new growth tracks.
At the same time we pay special attention to labor relations. Recently we are seeing a trend from the trade union movement for demands that companies can not withstand. We call on the unions to realize the seriousness of the situation and to stop making demands that are out of place and out of time.
In addition, we call on the unions to recognize the huge labor shortage that exists in Cyprus and to work with us in approving the "new policy on work permits for people from Third Countries" that our economy so desperately needs today to move forward. example and let the current passions of England trouble us.
We are also particularly concerned about developments in the field of health and the GESS. As CCCI, despite our general consent, from the first moment we expressed reservations about several provisions of the GESS and clarified that: • The autonomy of public hospitals is necessary. • We are not going to accept any new increase of the contributions to GESS.
We have confidence in the Minister of Health and I must admit that our cooperation to date is excellent and as such we want to continue.
Now, seeing the problems that arise in the field of health, we repeat these conditions. And this is because the autonomy of the public hospitals was not done, while some union circles started talking about the need to increase the contributions to the GESS!
Dear friends,
The CCCI is optimistic about the future of the Cypriot economy. We agree with the estimates of the government, the EU and the rating agencies that in 2021 we will have growth of around 4% of GDP.
However, this does not mean that we should hide our problems and worries under the rug.
The challenges we face are great and complex. That is why vigilance, courage and determination are required. We, as CCCI, will continue to say things by name, regardless of cost. The only concern of the CCCI is business and the economy and we are determined to protect both. This is the promise I give you today and this is the line we will follow from now on.
Dear President of EBF Famagusta, dear friend Augustinos, through all these initiatives we will strengthen the free area of Famagusta, but also all the businesses of Famagusta that are scattered throughout free Cyprus. We know the many peculiarities in the operation and action of EVEA and we are by your side.
It would be an omission not to mention our rude Vice President from Famagusta, our friend George Mavroudis, a consistent Chamber, holds the wheel firmly and firmly and with the high know-how he has, guides our positions in
key issues such as Ports and Airports, Customs but of course the CCCI also represents in the Pancyprian Committee for resolution issues and not only the Banking sector under the guidance of the Central Bank.
In closing, I would like to express the thanks of the CCCI to my friend Minister of Energy, Trade & Industry, the effective Natasa Pileidou for her timeless support to the industrial world which daily with its multifaceted actions, its intense activity confirms its meaning and its ability to support businesses as the policy manager in charge.
It would be almost a sin not to recall the huge work of the Minister rushing from Famagusta, Ioannis Karousos, and to tell him that: which lasted for too long. We thank you".
I would also like to congratulate my friend the President of EBE Famagusta, Augustinos Papathomas, and the members of his Board of Directors for the hard work they perform as well as for the close cooperation we have at the CCCI.
Finally, I thank all of you, the members of EBE Famagusta, for the support you offer to our Chamber. Stay close to the Chamber and together we will win this bet.
I wish you every success in the General Assembly.
Thank you very much.