The EVEA expresses its vertical opposition to the intention of the Turks to open the enclosed city of Famagusta, which at the same time demands immediate actions that will prevent the sale of Famagusta property to the Turks.
Speaking at the general assembly of the Famagusta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the President Mr. Augustinos Papathomas stressed that the possible opening of the city occupied by the Turks will be the tombstone in the hopes of return.
Referring to the refugee, Mr. Papathomas said that the policy of sharing the burdens of the invasion and occupation did not work as expected, so EVEA asks to find ways to balance the cost of the invasion, so that the displaced are not second-class citizens in the same their homeland. Specifically, EVEA proposes the creation by the Government of a body for the "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 areas.
Referring to the economy, he said that despite its good progress due to the over-efforts of the business world, there should be no complacency, whether from businessmen, the banking sector, the government or the public service.
Mr. Papathomas said that the business world must continue to evolve by investing in new sectors and innovative technologies, digital and others in order to improve our productivity and competitiveness.
Speaking about the free region of Famagusta, he said that although its contribution to the country's tourism is huge, it is nevertheless plagued by very serious problems that hinder or delay its smooth and further development.
These problems, he said, concern delays in infrastructure projects, the enrichment of the tourism product, youth unemployment and the lack of workers in the agriculture and tourism industry.
We demand from the state, Mr. Papathomas emphasized, to respond and contribute to the efforts of EVEA. The postponement and confinement of the various development projects in the tentacles of the endless bureaucracy is enough, he added. We want projects, he underlined, that give the free Province of Famagusta the corresponding character and the Brand Name that corresponds to it as a world-recognized tourist destination.
In particular, Mr. Papathomas said that EVEA requests:
• Incentives for companies to develop other sectors (besides tourism) in our region
• Establishment of a tourist school / university in the Province of Famagusta.
• Greater utilization of important areas that are reference points for the area, such as the Liopetri River, Lake Paralimni, the Dam at Dasaki Achnas, Cape Greco, the coastal front of the area and more.
• All the communities of the Free Province of Famagusta to be included in the tourism planning of the State Department with the creation of specialized tourist products.
Regarding the issue of Local Government, he said that EVEA disagrees with the creation of a single large Municipality in the Free Province of Famagusta, which will include the four Municipalities of the region and this is because:
A. There is a huge risk of losing branding, ie the brand names of Ayia Napa and Protaras whose value is invaluable and must be managed with a separate strategy and implementation.
B. The other serious danger that lurks is that the creation of a super-municipality, in fact, in the long run, will most likely erase and replace our occupied city, which is unacceptable and anti-national.
Then Mr. Papathomas presented in detail the needs of each Municipality and each Community of the area, requesting immediate promotion of infrastructure projects. Finally, he referred to the action of the EVEA, which was intense and multifaceted, despite the difficulties it has as a Refugee Chamber
The EVEA assembly was greeted by the Deputy Minister of Tourism Mr. Savvas Perdios, the Mayors of Famagusta and Ayia Napa, Dr. Simos Ioannou and Giannis Karousos, respectively, and the President of the CCCI, Christodoulos E. Agastiniotis.
It was also attended by the Mayor of Deryneia, Common Mayors, the Deputy Mayors of Ayia Napa, Deryneia, Sotiras and members of community councils of the Free Province of Famagusta, a representative of the Holy Diocese of Constantinople Famagusta and the Deputy Chief of Police , Poland and Bulgaria, economic operators, businessmen and members of EVEA.