An advantage in all sectors is the proposal to unite the Municipalities of Ayia Napa and Sotira and the Community of Liopetri, say the three local authorities, noting that the strong "Brand Name Ayia Napa" is a national issue in tourism, which must be continued and strengthened.
A joint written statement from the municipalities of Ayia Napa and Sotira and the Liopetri Community Council states that "the three local authorities emphasize that they have supported the government and political leadership in implementing the reform through their own consensus proposal which meets all the philosophy of the reform. requires. At the same time, they emphasize that it is time for the political and governmental leadership to recognize it and at the same time to realize the benefits and the prospect of maintaining a "Brand Name" that has given our country global dimensions since the 1980s, ie over 40 years".
They also note that "through a good cooperation with vision and diligence, it will be possible to create a strong and economically viable Municipality, with the aim of uniting the local authorities of Liopetri, Sotiras and Ayia Napa. This merger will create excellent growth prospects, especially in terms of tourism, as the merged entities have a single coastal front, which with the appropriate infrastructure and private sector investment can be developed and further contribute to the upgrading of the tourism product. ».
In addition, the announcement continues, "this development will bring additional significant and economic benefits to the merging entities. The merging of the three local authorities will further strengthen the sectors of tourism, agriculture, education and culture with great growth prospects ".
It is also noted that "the merger is expected to consolidate the diversification of the tourism product so that the new entity attracts higher income visitors and upgrades the visitor experience (customer experience) through the upgrading of the tourism product. The agricultural sector is also expected to develop through innovative farming methods, such as hydroponics and vertical farming.
It is also expected that "the area will be established as an Educational Center, through the establishment of a University Institution and as a Center of Excellence and its establishment as a Cultural Center, through the creation of cultural infrastructure. This reform is also expected to strengthen the financial and administrative independence of the merging local authorities and to take advantage of the possibility of transferring new responsibilities to the new Municipality, resulting in better, more efficient and faster service to citizens in critical services, which currently offered by the central government ".
The announcement also notes that "the merger will enable the effective response to operational and administrative challenges. Specifically, due to the know-how that the Municipality of Ayia Napa has in providing services as the largest tourist destination in Cyprus, upgraded services will be offered to the citizens of the other local authorities. "
In addition, "due to the know-how and experience of the Municipality of Ayia Napa in the preparation of proposals for major infrastructure projects, there will be the possibility to be funded by European and other funds, which will categorically give impetus to the development of the region. In addition, the representation of the three local authorities in the new Municipal Council guarantees that the decisions that will be taken will be in the well-understood interest of all citizens of the new Municipality and not in the interest of any Municipal District ".
The Brand Name "Ayia Napa", the announcement continues "will be maintained and strengthened due to the development prospects that the merger will bring".
Finally, it is stated that "the proposed unification scenario of the Municipalities of Sotira and Ayia Napa and the Community of Liopetri, satisfies all the requirements of studies and criteria of both the Union of Municipalities and the Ministry of Interior regarding the reform of Local Government in the Republic of Cyprus."