The latest developments in the new Agia Napa Marina are an important political and defensive upgrade of the free area of Famagusta and strengthening of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.
Yesterday, May 21, 2020, the presence of ships of the Naval Command of the National Guard is a positive development for the defense of southeastern Cyprus. The naval presence in this neuralgic area is important since Cape Kavo Greco is the southeastern land tip of Cyprus, the states of Hellenism and Europe.
The free area of Famagusta and Kokkinochoria are considered "critical" area, not only because of geography, but also because of their isolation from the other areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, as the British base of Dhekelia and the British base of Agios are inserted from the west. Nikolaou and the Turkish occupation army.
In his exclusive statements to "SigmaLive", Vice Admiral e.a. Costas Fytiris, former Commander of KSED (Search-Rescue Coordination Center) and current Director of the Ayia Napa Marina, stressed the importance of the Marina.
Mr. Fytiris does not consider that it is just a step in the right direction but that "it is the step" because through the Ayia Napa Marina the free area of Famagusta, for the first time since the invasion of 1974, acquires an official entry point into the Republic.
"Apart from the commercial and economic value, given that the economy and security are interconnected and one pillar supports the other, Marina is at the disposal of all state services for all security issues and any other business support, research and rescue ", said the Director of the Marina.
"For us, yesterday was very, very important", Mr. Fytiris underlined, "because the Marina was tested in terms of capabilities by the largest ship of the Navy which is 65 meters, but also on the other hand the Marina was tested and from the Navy to know that there is an area, an infrastructure, a space that can support them in whatever they need.
He clarified that there will be no permanent presence of the Navy, but there is a permanent presence of the Port & Maritime Police (L & NA). At the entrance of the Marina there is a government building which houses the L & NA and the Foreigners & Immigration Service (YAM) as well as offices of the Health Services and the Customs Department. In addition, the Marina has "smart marina" infrastructure with high-tech security systems.
Statements on the defensive dimension of the whole project were made by Mr. Stavros Karamontanis, owner and General Manager of the company MM Makronisos Marina. Mr. Karamontanis believes that despite the huge contribution of the province of Famagusta to the GDP of Cyprus through tourism, the region has been degraded for years by major infrastructure projects. Ayia Napa Marina is such a big project "which is entrepreneurial in its final essence but has incredibly upgraded the area, other investments have been made and in terms of the territory of Cyprus or issues it comes to operational assistance".
Speaking to "SigmaLive" he said that "the Marina of Ayia Napa, as an official entry point to KD, offers the possibility of arrival of ships or pleasure boats in the area of Famagusta province." He explained that "our Navy can rely on the services of the Marina in its planning so that it feels that it can support its needs in the area of the province of Famagusta, which is considered of utmost importance due to the Green Line."
In addition to the commercial and entertainment part, "we have considered supporting the Navy and that satisfies everyone." And this "because", as he stated meaningfully, in case of non-evil, war, you realize that the car we drive can be ordered, let alone a Marina. So if I will use it at least, it should be functional. "
A firm argument of many who oppose the defense shield of the Republic of Cyprus is that such a policy will "scare tourists" and "expel foreigners". Their reasoning is based on the view that economic development can not be equated with the defense upgrade of the place. When we asked Mr. Karamontanis directly, if the presence of the Cypriot Navy can work negatively for an investor or a tourist, he answered:
"First of all, the Marina as it is designed does not give this image. On the contrary, when you have a visit from the Navy and you have a warship inside, I say that it inspires another security and my mind does not go to me personally. Personally, as I have the Port Police stationed there, I am glad to see it, on the other hand, Marina will not become a naval base, but if from time to time the warships come to stay for a few nights, I find it very interesting. and not at all annoying. ”
As reported yesterday Famagusta.News, Ayia Napa Marina, which has just started operating, has the ability to serve all types of ships, including the Navy and the visit is part of the training and familiarization of crews with the available port areas in the free province of Famagusta. The ships of the Navy that participated in the activity were the vessels of OUK "NIREAS" 1 and PP "TSOMAKIS", PP "GEORGIOU", PATH "IOANNIDIS" and PP "AMMOCHOSTOS". The crews had the opportunity to tour the boats of the Ayia Napa Marina and to see up close the high level services provided for refueling, repairs, etc.
Until now, in the free area of Famagusta and Kokkinohoria, there were only the Fishing Shelters of Agia Triada in Paralimni, Agia Napa, Liopetri River, Xylofagou, Ormidia and Xylotympos. The Fishery Shelters, which belong to the Department of Fisheries & Marine Research, are not official points of entry into the Republic, but support coastal fishing.
Located between the beaches of Agia Thekla and Makronisos, the Marina of Ayia Napa provides for the construction of 220 spacious, luxurious apartments in two impressive towers, 35 luxury mansions, a marina with the capacity to moor and provide a complete selection of services in 600 boats shops and restaurants that will offer high quality services and amenities to the residents and visitors of Marina.
The official entry points to the Republic are determined by a regulatory provision approved by the Council of Ministers, which are the ports, airports and marinas of Limassol, Larnaca, San Rafael and now St. Nappa.
There are future plans for the development of marinas in Paphos and the Kapparis area of Paralimni.
Source: SigmaLive / Famagusta.News / SigmaTV