The good quality of bathing water is a pole of attraction for foreign visitors and contributes to our efforts as the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to recover the economy through development, and especially through the promotion of the blue economy, he said on Wednesday (25 / 5/2016) the competent Minister, Nikos Kougialis, speaking at the Pancyprian Award Ceremony with the Blue Flag on the beach Fig Tree Bay.
Mr. Kougialis said that the awarding of the "Blue Flag" is essentially a successful step in the effort to face a major challenge of pan-European level, which aims to maintain the balance between ensuring the satisfaction of tourist requirements on the one hand, and its protection. environment on the other.
He stated that Cyprus for this year complies with the strictest specifications of the directive. All bathing areas of Cyprus were evaluated by the European Union as of exceptional quality, he noted.
He added that for the swimming season of 2015, which lasted from May 1 to October 31, 113 bathing waters were monitored throughout the coastal zone of Free Cyprus on a monthly basis at least on a monthly basis, while sampling was performed before the start of the swimming season. .
He stated that an important achievement is that the 59 beaches from the 113 bathing water areas, in addition to the excellent water quality, meet an additional 32 criteria, as a result of which they are awarded a Blue Flag, which is very special and is another important achievement for Cyprus. .
The Minister of Agriculture underlined that “it is very important through our action as a State to protect and highlight those aspects that will contribute substantially to the consolidation of a culture that will aim at a form of development, based on Sustainability and Environmental Protection. ”.
Only in this way, he pointed out, "will we be able to upgrade the living standards of the citizens to create conditions that favor the development of our place to give new dynamics for progress and prosperity".
He also said that today's award proves the turn towards the promotion and protection of our marine environment which is undoubtedly an important factor in maintaining Cyprus as a tourist destination.
The Blue Flag was awarded to Fig Tree Bay beach in Protaras
Fig Tree Bay beach in Protaras was awarded the Blue Flag today at an event organized by the National Blue Flag Judge, CYMEPA and the Municipality of Paralimni, in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Nikos Kougalimos - Konstantos Mitros Mayors and Communities of the region, MPs and other officials.
In his greeting, the Mayor of Paralimni, Theodoros Pyrillis, referred to the 9 blue flags held by the Municipality of Paralimni and said that "the provision of services to bathers who visit our beaches in combination with the good quality of bathing waters are an attraction for thousands of foreigners and visitors. At the same time, they demonstrate the maintenance of the balance between ensuring the satisfaction of the tourist requirements and the protection of the environment ".
At the same time, he continued "the natural value and beauty of our beaches is highlighted, while through the sea, the tourism and the economy of both the Municipality of Paralimni and Cyprus in general are upgraded and strengthened".
According to Mr. Pyrillis, "the goal of the Municipality of Paralimni is the continuous upgrade of the beaches and the services provided on the beaches, with the continuous support of the competent Services in order to increase the number of blue flags in Protaras to double and not only" .
In his greeting, the President of the National Blue Flag Judge, Dr. Michalis Ieridis stated that "Cyprus has the most blue flags in the world in proportion to population and along the coastline".
Dr. Michalis Ieridis and the Minister of Agriculture awarded a total of 59 blue flags to Municipalities and Communities of free Cyprus.
It is noted that "through the institution of the Blue Flag, the beaches that achieve high quality environmental goals as well as services provided for bathers are awarded, a fact that is of particular importance for every coastal Municipality of Cyprus knowing the decisive contribution of the sea to tourism and economy of the island ".
SotiraNews / ΚΥΠΕ