The projects were announced in the presence of the Ministers of Finance, Interior, Trade, Justice, Agriculture and Transport, the Government Spokesman, the Metropolitan of Constantia - Famagusta, MPs, Mayors, Commonwealth Governors and other organized bodies.
The President of the Republic stated that despite the financial difficulties faced by Cyprus, projects worth € 25,4 million have been completed under the current government in the province of Free Famagusta. At present, projects worth a total of € 55 million are being implemented in the province of Famagusta. which has started before or within 2015.
After reiterating that "in two and a half years from the risk of bankruptcy we are able to announce development projects and that in itself means a lot", the President of the Republic noted that "we would like to be able to realize much more. "But based on the capabilities of the state, the announcements are similar."
He also said that the millions that will be spent in the free region of Famagusta reflect the interest of the government, in order to give a new impetus to the development of the region.
Among the projects announced are:
● Reconstruction of a fishing shelter in Liopetri, total cost € 3 million.
Λέ Design and construction of a sewage treatment plant at the Achnas fence costing € 30,7 million.
. Construction of a club for the elderly in Deryneia at a total cost of € 900 thousand
● Upgrading of Sotira Municipal Stadium with a total cost of € 600 thousand which will be given in the form of a sponsorship from the Ministry of Education
Ση Reconstruction of Ayia Napa coastal front with construction of a sidewalk, total cost € 6,5 million.
● Improvement of Pernera Avenue in Protaras at a total cost of € 8 million.
● Construction of a new building for the Famagusta police department in Paralimni, total cost € 4,3 million.
Among the new projects is also for Paralimni the construction of a section of the 1st of April avenue with a total cost of € 1,8 million, configuration of a coastal sidewalk (Gifasi) of 2,5 million. An event hall will also be built at the Technical School of Paralimni, for the construction of which a donation of 80 thousand euros was included from the relatives of the victims of the air tragedy of the Sun.
For the Municipality of Ayia Napa, the President also announced improvement works on Nisi Avenue that concern the upgrade of the 4.5 km bike path, restoration, promotion and promotion of the Medieval Monastery, improvement of accessibility in the center of Ayia Napa and creation of a multifunctional park.
The President of the Republic also stated that after a government decision in 2014, the Municipalities of Paralimni and Ayia Napa "have been designated as urban centers and have the right to claim funds and funding through the Sustainable Urban Development programs".
For the Municipality of Deryneia, President Anastasiadis also announced the paving of roads in the streets of the Municipality of Deryneia and the community of Avgoros that were affected by works for the sewerage.
The President of the Republic stressed his joy that despite the fact that in the past 2-3 years the country was on the brink of economic disaster, today the government is able to announce important projects for the free region of Famagusta.
The rest of the announcements
Among the projects that started to be implemented in 2015 are the restoration of uncontrolled waste disposal sites Larnaca - Famagusta total cost € 21,3 million, the improvement of the main road in Avgorou cost € 3,9 million and the road of the community stadium Frenarus - Savior with a cost of up to € 3,5 million.
After stating that the announced projects are completely mature with the amounts required for execution to be available to us, he noted that with these projects whose total cost amounts to € 94,9 million, "we aspire to be a peak in the development of the region ».
After saying that "attaching special importance to infrastructure projects of public benefit for the whole province" of Famagusta, the President of the Republic noted that priority is given to projects of public benefit, starting with the final solution of the water supply problem of the free area of Famagusta. "Kokkinogremmos" project. The project, he said, aims to meet the water needs in Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Deryneia and Sotira, a project with a total cost of € 17 million, while a second utility project is that of the program "Solid waste management of Famagusta District, total cost € 6.5 million
At the same time, he noted, an effort is being made to find funds for the construction of the District Court of Famagusta with a total cost of € 6 million, a project that he said will be done given that there will be savings in the Budget, with a project to start construction in 2016.
The government, he continued, in consultation with the Municipality of Paralimni and the Municipality of Ayia Napa "will do its utmost, so that during the evaluation of the projects to be co-financed to include for the Municipality of Paralimni renovation of the center of Paralimni which includes stone paving, undergrounding and creation of parking lots and creation of a children's club and a children's museum, projects which will have a total cost to the budget and with the co-financing of approximately 7,5 million euros. For the Municipality of Ayia Napa, restoration, promotion and promotion of the Medieval Monastery, improvement of the accessibility in the center of Ayia Napa and creation of a multifunctional park, projects that will have a total cost of about 3,5 million euros ".
Regarding the Municipality of Deryneia, the President said that a mature project and for immediate implementation is the construction of an elderly club, total cost 900 thousand euros and the paving of roads in the Municipality of Deryneia and the community of Avgoros affected by sewerage works will be executed or next year, with a total cost of 500 thousand euros.
For the Municipality of Sotira, the "upgrade of the Municipal Stadium Sotira, total cost 600 thousand euros" was announced, the fund "will be given in the form of sponsorship by the Ministry of Education and the stadium will be constructed under the technical guidance of KOA".
Regarding the request of the Municipality of Sotira for lease of state land for the creation of facilities services and issuance of urban planning permit for facilities for bathers on the beaches of Sirens and Poseidon, it is accepted, but it is required to meet immediately some terms and conditions set by the Ministries. designated as NATURA.
The government has also accepted the request of the Municipality of Sotira for the formation of the coastal front of the Municipality.
The President of the Republic also announced new projects in the countryside and communities such as the design and construction of the Achna wastewater treatment plant, with a total cost of 30.7 million euros, a project that will begin to be implemented once the pending decision of the Review Authority.
The renovation of the Liopetri Fishery Shelter has also been announced, at a total cost of 3 million euros as well as a project concerning the Ministry of Agriculture and "is the application of innovative technologies for the rational management of the Kokkinochorion irrigation network, aiming to save water and fairer distribution. . This project will cost one million euros ".
Regarding the requests of the Community of Avgoros for the regeneration of the central area of the community and the construction of an amphitheater, the President of the Republic called on the Local Authorities to contact the "Ministry of Interior for the implementation of the two projects with the necessary information to be given for co-financing from the Rural Development Program ".
Ayia Napa and Paralimni Marina
Special mention was made by President Anastasiadis in the marinas of Ayia Napa and Paralimni, as he explained "we estimate that with their implementation they will contribute significantly to the improvement of the quality tourism product provided but will also create important jobs."
For the Ayia Napa marina, the President said that "the whole process has already progressed significantly, in March the required guarantee of 25 million euros has been submitted and we are in the final stage of licensing to start the implementation of the project, I hope within 2015."
Regarding the Paralimni marina, he said that "a tender has already been announced on June 16 for the concession to a Strategic Investor of state space, land and sea, for the development of the marina. The marina of Ayia Napa is worth 230 million euros and the marina of Paralimni is about 100 million euros ".
President Anastasiadis also referred to some requests that have been met or are being implemented, such as “the needs of increasing building rates. The Council of Ministers has already decided to increase the rate by 20% either to remove some illegalities or to expand existing buildings ".
The President also referred to "the approval of the Council of Ministers has changed the contract, the hike for the mixed waste at the landfill which was 75 euros and have been reduced after the new contract concluded at 39.90 per ton, ie about half of the original" .
As a result of the participation and contribution of the state, he continued, "for the next four years, it is limited to only 27 euros per tonne, so it is a significant effort that has been successfully made in order to relieve the citizens, the citizens in general, from a hike to the result of a bad agreement in my opinion ".
Public service reform
In his speech, the President also referred to the issue of public service reform, expressing the hope that "on August 19 there will be the first bill to modernize the public service in a horizontal sector."
He also referred to the reduction of unemployment, the introduction of the institution of the Minimum Guaranteed Income, the modernization of Local Government, education, agricultural policy, the fight against corruption and the modernization of the structures of justice with the strengthening of the prosecutor's office and the judiciary. and the creation of an administrative court.
President Anastasiadis described as "positive steps forward" the growth trend recorded in the forecasts of the 7th assessment of the Cypriot economy, which while initially predicted in April "a recession of 5%, seems to show for 2015, growth of the order of 0,5% ".
I must say that through a series of reforms we are trying to modernize this state. "I am not here to judge or criticize, nor to ignore the work that previous governments have done," he said.
The announcement of the President of the Republic was followed by statements by the Mayors of the free region of Famagusta and answers by the competent Ministers to the issues raised.
The mayor of Paralimni, Theodoros Pyrillis, in his statements after the meeting, stated that "finally after 41 years, our province, our crippled province, is treated as equal to the other provinces. We thank the President of the Republic for the gifts he brought us and we hope that next year this meeting will take place in our occupied Diocese, the sea-loving Famagusta ".
The whole speech of the President
I would like to say that I am really happy to be given the opportunity after 26 months of government to be able to visit the free area of Famagusta, in order to announce the execution of specific projects that will significantly contribute to the development of the economy and the improvement of living conditions. of our fellow citizens.
My wish and wish was to be able to make similar visits sooner.
But, as you well know, the economic situation of the country would not allow me to talk about the implementation and execution of decisions, but about promises.
And if the circumstances did not allow me to do so - as I am very afraid this would happen based on the financial capabilities of the state - my promises would be nothing more than an attempt at populism, something I would never have attempted. But I am here today after realizing that there is a possibility that what we will say can be done. I want to say that with my colleagues and almost the entire Council of Ministers, the Ministers of Interior, Justice, Trade, Transport, Finance and Agriculture, after studying in detail the requests that were submitted and were numerous in number, it was decided that we should focus our attention. our mature projects to be executed. There are many requests, but they are either not mature in the sense that the files have not been completed or some information is missing to be considered mature, while at the same time the possibility of the state was seriously taken into account.
You all know the circumstances under which this Government took over the management of state affairs, it is not my purpose to criticize anything. But referring to economic conditions I can not but refer to real events such as the fact that since May 2011 we are out of markets, we had 22 continuous downgrades and at some stage when I took over, very soon, in 15 days I was in front of a Eurogroup which with premature decisions posed the dilemma. Either you deny and try to pretend to be brave but face the naughty bankruptcy of the state and the banking system, or you have to make decisions of responsibility even if what followed followed. If the Parliament, out of emotion, accepted the first decision, the effects on the economy and on the depositors would be limited to the interest of 18-24 months. In any case, there was a charged atmosphere then and I do not blame, because I myself had suffered psychological violence with the difference that one is to stay in rhetoric and another is to make decisions and my responsibility was to make responsible decisions.
We have witnessed what happened in other cases, I do not want to make a specific report, it is good to say that you are resisting but to be able to really make the resistance work. If you are under the pressure of bankruptcy or in general of an uncertain future, you can only owe it if you really want to serve the good of the place not to be liked but useful and that is what I did.
As a result of our determination, despite the toughness of the measures, to stand up and meet our obligations, it has been possible to complete the 7th evaluation in essence with only positive comments. We have observed the upgrading of the state by all rating agencies, the most important thing is that the banks were refinanced with foreign funds, they have passed the stress tests and proof of the restoration of the reliability of the financial system is of course the removal of all or any restrictions without any negative consequence. The result of the improvement or the credibility of the state was of course our ability to enter the markets, to be able to service our debt on better terms but also to save money so that today I can be able to announce specific projects through the savings to be consistent as a state in the obligations to the Local Authorities and the wider world.
I want to be clear. To say that the progress and credibility of the state or the financial system, or of positive feedback, or of positive crises, or of positive evaluations and upgrades, does not mean that I do not realize that we are still facing problems, serious problems with unemployment. but also the issue of vulnerable groups. Of course with regard to the issue of vulnerable groups we have introduced the institution of Minimum Guaranteed Income, in the first stage it was a revolutionary effort gaps and weaknesses were observed. Recently we have differentiated the criteria so that we can meet the real needs and this can and is achieved through the now targeted benefits that should be given to those who really need and not uncontrollably. This has been a regular practice for decades to anyone and without criteria.
So by setting some criteria that we revise from time to time, depending on success or failure, whether or not to address needs effectively, I believe we are really building a welfare state, just like any other European country.
What has been achieved is to curb unemployment, but at the same time to have a downward trend, which shows in general the stabilization of the economy and the growth trend recorded in the forecasts of the 7th rating, which initially predicted a recession in April. 5% seems to show a growth for 2015 of 0,5%, of course it is not high but this is an indication that we are taking positive steps forward.
I must say that through a series of reforms we are trying to modernize this state. There is no doubt that for decades, all responsible, I am not here to judge or criticize, nor to ignore the work that previous Governments have done.
What I am trying to say is that our insistence, our stubbornness, or our vision to bring about reforms is being implemented gradually, such as the educational reform, such as the modernization of the public service, which on August 19 I hope will have its first modernization bill. Public Service in the horizontal sector, is a revolutionary agricultural policy pursued, is a continuous effort to combat corruption and modernize the structures of justice by strengthening both the Prosecutor's Office and the Judicial Authorities, the establishment of an administrative court was an important step to decongest cases in our courts.
But there are a number of other reforms such as the Local Government that I understand there are some initial reactions that may find some disagreement with the Government's proposal, but here we are, the dialogue that will follow will give us the opportunity to achieve exactly what we all want a modern field of Local Government that really serves the needs of the citizens.
Despite the financial difficulties I described earlier, projects worth 2013 million 25 thousand euros have been completed under the current government, from 400 onwards in the province of free Famagusta. At the moment, projects worth a total of 55 million are being implemented in the province of Famagusta, the implementation of which has started before or within 2015. What I am referring to has nothing to do with what I will announce.
I am simply saying the ongoing projects that have started to be implemented in 2015.
Indicatively, I mention from these projects, the restoration of the uncontrolled waste disposal sites Larnaca - Famagusta with a total cost of 21.3 million Euros, the improvement of the main road in Avgoros cost 3.9 million Euros and the road of community stadium Frenaros - Sotiras whose cost reaches 3.5 million Euros.
There are two development projects for which I would like to make a special mention because we believe that with their implementation they will make a decisive contribution to improving the quality tourism product provided but will also create important jobs. I am referring to the Marina of Ayia Napa and the Marina of Paralimni. As for the Ayia Napa Marina, the whole process has already progressed significantly, the required guarantee of 25 million euros has been submitted in March and I understand that we are in the final stage of licensing to start the implementation of the project, I hope, within 2015.
As far as the Paralimni Marina is concerned, a tender has already been announced on June 16 for the concession to a Strategic Investor of a state land and sea space for the development of the Marina. The Ayia Napa Marina is worth 230 million euros and the Paralimni Marina is about 100 million euros.
Today I am pleased to announce a package of new projects which will start to be implemented in 2015 or early 2016, depending on the bidding process, any objections and so on. However, these are projects that are completely mature with the amounts required for execution to be at our disposal. These are projects that we aspire to be at the forefront of the development of the region, the total cost of which amounts to 94.9 million euros.
However, before referring to the specific projects, I am now in a happy position, as you may have been informed, to announce that after the efforts of the Minister of Interior and with the approval of the Council of Ministers, the contract for the mixed waste hike at the foundry has been differentiated. 75 Euros, at some stage 65 Euros and have been reduced after the new contract that has been concluded at € 39.90 per ton, about half of the original. As a result of the participation and contribution of the state for the next four years, it is limited to only 27 euros per ton, so it is a significant effort that was successfully made in order to relieve the citizens, the citizens in general from a hike as a result of a bad my view of agreement.
Attaching special importance to public utility infrastructure projects for the whole province, I think it would be appropriate to make announcements giving priority to utility projects that first solve the long-standing water supply problem of the Famagusta free area with the start of the "Kokkinogre" project. The project aims to meet the water supply needs in Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Deryneia and Sotira, a project with a total cost of 17 million euros and secondly the solid waste management program of Famagusta province. Total cost 6.5 million Euros.
For the Municipality of Paralimni, improvement of Pernera Avenue, total cost 8 million Euros, construction of the Famagusta Police Department in Paralimni total cost 4.3 million Euros, construction of a section of the 1st of April Avenue total cost 1.8 million Euros, configuration of the sidewalk 2.5 million Euros, construction of an event hall at the Technical School of Paralimni with a total cost of 280 thousand Euros. This amount includes a donation of 80 thousand euros from the relatives of the victims of the air tragedy ILIOS, whom of course I thank.
At the same time, an effort is being made to find funds for the construction of the Famagusta District Court, the total cost of which will amount to 6 million euros, and this will be done with the understanding that there will be savings in the Budget, with a project to start construction in 2016. I want to hope that the savings will be achieved. I'm not one to say that it's definitely going to happen, I want to be consistent with you. It is an effort that will be made in the hope that we will succeed.
I would also like to point out at the same time that a long-standing request of the Municipality of Paralimni and the wider area of Famagusta was the transfer of public administrative services in the province of Famagusta from Larnaca and this will be achieved by the end of 2015, with the relocation of the District Building to which is already housed in the Branch in Paralimni, while the District Cadastral Office and the Department of Urban Planning and Housing will be housed in the building on 1st of April Avenue.
For the Municipality of Ayia Napa, renovation of the coastal front of Ayia Napa, coastal pedestrian street, total cost 6.5 million Euros, improvement works on Nisi Avenue concerning the upgrade of the 4.5 km bicycle path, total cost 300 thousand Euros. It is not a big project but it is an absolutely necessary project. This is a project that goes beyond the upgrading of pedestrian crossings and access for people with disabilities that are already under construction.
It is important to point out that after a Government decision in 2014 the Municipalities of Paralimni and Ayia Napa, despite the objections of other neighboring municipalities, have been designated as urban centers and have the right to claim funds and funding through Sustainable Urban Development programs. . In this context, the Government in consultation with the Municipality of Paralimni and the Municipality of Ayia Napa will contribute the maximum, so that during the evaluation of the projects to be co-financed to include for the Municipality of Paralimni renovation of the center of Paralimni which includes stone paving and undergrounding. , creation of parking spaces and creation of a children's club and a children's museum, projects which will have a total cost to the budget and of course with the co-financing of approximately 7,5 million euros.
For the Municipality of Ayia Napa, restoration, promotion and promotion of the Medieval Monastery, improvement of the accessibility in the center of Ayia Napa and creation of a multifunctional park. The three projects will have a total cost of about 3,5m euros.
For the Municipality of Deryneia, a mature project and for immediate execution is the construction of a club for the elderly, total cost 900 thousand Euros and the paving of roads in the Municipality of Deryneia and the community of Avgoros that were affected by sewerage works will be completed this year or next year cost 500 thousand Euros.
For the Municipality of Sotiras upgrade of the Municipal Stadium Sotiras, total cost 600 thousand Euros, the fund will be given in the form of sponsorship from the Ministry of Education and the stadium will be constructed under the technical guidance of KOA.
Regarding the request of the Municipality of Sotira for the construction of a cultural center and library, please submit a relevant application to the Ministry of Interior in order to prepare the necessary studies, plans and other or existing ones, based on the new data, to There will be an effort and I believe it will be possible to co-finance them through the Rural Development Program.
For the request of the Municipality of Sotiras for lease of state land for the creation of facilities services and issuance of urban planning permit for facilities for bathers on the beaches of Sirens and Poseidon, the request of the Municipality for land lease is accepted, but some conditions are required to be met immediately. Our Ministries, as a result of the Urban Planning Authority, as a result of the fact that the Natura area is characterized.
Regarding the configuration of the coastal front of the Municipality of Sotira, the request is accepted in principle so that the planning process can begin with the help of the Department of Urban Planning and Housing.
New projects in the countryside and communities
Design and construction of the Achna wastewater treatment plant, with a total cost: € 30.7 million Euros and the project will start to be implemented as soon as the pending decision of the Review Authority is issued, ie it has already been offered, awarded, there was an objection, as soon as it is adjudicated it means that will be judged to meet the conditions under the legislation will immediately begin and the execution of the project.
The renovation of the Liopetri Fishery Shelter, at a total cost of 3 million euros and another project concerning the Ministry of Agriculture is the application of innovative technologies for the rational management of the irrigation network of Kokkinochorion, with the aim of saving water and its fairer distribution. cost 1 million euros.
Regarding the requests of the community of Avgoros for the renovation of the central area of the community and the construction of an amphitheater, I would ask the community to contact the Ministry of Interior for the implementation of the two projects with the necessary information to be given for co-financing. from the Rural Development Program.
In addition to the above, I would like to refer to some of the requests that have been met or are being implemented. The needs of the increase of the building rates, already yesterday the Minister of Interior and the Council of Ministers decided to increase the rate by 20% either to remove some illegalities or to expand existing buildings.
But at the same time I want to say that in the study of the local plan that is expected to be completed in 10 - 12 months, after your opinions are first heard, the rates will be determined, we mean in the center of the Municipalities and communities, because as you know well the motivations , the generous incentives for tourism development which have become permanent have already been granted regardless of the region and without clarification.
I want to reiterate that in two and a half years of the risk of bankruptcy we are able to announce development projects and that in itself means a lot. We would like to be able to accomplish much more. But based on the capabilities of the state, the announcements are similar.
In any case, I want to say that the 94, 95 million that will be spent in the free area of Famagusta also reflect the interest of the Government, in order to give a new impetus to the development of the area.
The request of the Municipality of Ayia Napa for an increase of the building factor has already been satisfied in the context of providing incentives for tourist development.
A. The general issue of increasing the building factors is examined in the framework of the Local Plan of Paralimni - Ayia Napa, the elaboration of which started by the Urban Planning Council and is expected to be completed in 10 to 12 months. The Local Authorities in the context of the consultation for the elaboration of the Plan are invited to submit their views.
B. For the request of the Municipality of Ayia Napa for staffing of the police station, the request has been satisfied since the station has been strengthened in June 2015 in terms of staffing. In August 2015 the station will be further strengthened. An action plan has also been drawn up for policing the tourist areas of Protaras and Ayia Napa.
C. Regarding the request for fire safety checks by the Fire Department, the request was satisfied. With the instructions of the Minister of Justice and Public Order, the Fire Service will henceforth carry out ex-officio inspections in terms of fire protection in all recreation centers and public buildings, giving priority to the tourist areas in the Famagusta area.
D. For the inclusion of new proposed facilities in the lease agreement for the Ayia Napa Sports Center, the request will be satisfied provided that the terms of the lease of the CMO are met.
E. Through the optimization of bus routes, it has been arranged to increase the routes from 65 to 75 daily from 1/7/15.
A relevant bill had been submitted to the Parliament for the creation of a direct line to / from Larnaca airport, but it was rejected. A revised Amendment Bill will be submitted with the reopening of the Parliament, which provides for the direct connection of Larnaca and Paphos Airport with other urban centers.
The list of projects I have announced is not exhaustive. There are projects that could not be announced today as they are not yet mature. Our intention is for these projects to be put on track soon. That is why I call on the Local Authorities - municipal and community - to be in contact with the competent Ministers, in order to promote in the most effective way everything that needs to be done.