PM: Support for the implementation of ready/mature projects worth €30m announced for the Municipality of Ayia Napa

Among the thirty projects with a total cost of over €122 million announced by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, for the free province of Famagusta at the regional gathering held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, eleven projects with a total cost of €30 million concern the Municipality of Ayia Napa.

Specifically, the projects concerning Ayia Napa are the following: the creation of the Famagusta Model Autism Center (€4m), the improvement of the central road in the Avgorou Municipality, on Karyon Avenue (€9m), the creation of an Urban Multifunctional Park in the Ayia Napa Municipality (€5m), the improvement and upgrade of the Ayia Napa beachfront (€3.6m), the construction of an Outdoor Amphitheater in the Avgorou Municipality (€1.5m), the construction of the Achna Public Sports Area (€2m), the transformation of the Ayia Napa Monastery into a Museum and the creation of a Research Center, library and conference rooms (€2.3m), the expansion/upgrade of a nursery and children's activity center in the Avgorou Municipality, the upgrade of a Sports Center in the Sotira and Liopetri Municipalities (€1.2m) and the creation of artisanal area in the Achna District (250km).

Furthermore, the President of the Republic announced that he is currently holding consultations with the aim of creating two University Schools in the Famagusta District.

Surrounded by members of the Council of Ministers and state officials, President Christodoulides underlined the importance of the Famagusta District and its special contribution to the tourism industry and to the competitiveness of the economy.

In his speech, Ayia Napa Mayor Christos Zannetou stated that "Ayia Napa is not just an internationally recognized tourist destination, but a vibrant economic entity that directly contributes an amount of around one billion euros to the GDP of Cyprus. The Free Province of Famagusta is at a critical crossroads," he said, adding that "we are facing challenges related to sustainable development, the balanced distribution of national resources, the strengthening of infrastructure and multidimensional economic activity."

Mr. Zannetou asked the President of the Republic "for the immediate creation of a Middle School and a High School and the establishment of higher education so that youth can have access to high-level education, which higher education will add to the popularity of the country and the entire province of Famagusta, a province that has been lacking for years."

"We firmly believe," he added, "that connectivity, public transportation, distances, low cost of accommodation, services provided, and student employment opportunities offer the appropriate environment and conditions for the creation of higher education."
He also called for the acceleration of projects to complete the Liopetri River and noted that the Famagusta district still needs strategic planning and a balanced distribution of state resources. "It is time," he added, "for our region to dynamically integrate into the national development plan with specific goals, commitments and priorities, restoring the chronic injustice."

Referring to the Municipality of Ayia Napa, the Mayor said that "it consists of five municipal districts, is currently the fifth largest Municipality in Cyprus in terms of area, one of the most financially strong in terms of budget and the strongest in terms of tourism" and noted that "we are asking for resources and support in the procedures for implementation."

After stating that "Ayia Napa and the Famagusta district have proven that they can play a leading role in the national economy," he added that "the goal is to draw up a clear, fair and targeted development plan that will ensure the sustainability and prosperity of its residents."

He also noted that "the Famagusta province, 85% of which is under Turkish occupation, needs the support of the government and we will continue our cooperation and support for the occupied Municipality of Famagusta, as we have been doing in recent years."

Mr. Christos Zannetou also stated that "a free Famagusta deserves and can, and we seek the opportunity to contribute even more to the economy of Cyprus, through fair and equal treatment."

In his statements after the meeting, he expressed his heartfelt thanks to the President of the Republic and in general to the Christodoulides government for the projects he announced for the Famagusta District and in particular for the Municipality of Ayia Napa. He particularly welcomed the construction of the Model Autism Center costing €4 million.