The government "christened" Paralimni and Ayia Napa as "urban centers" with a political decision, to the detriment of the other municipalities, paving the way for them to claim European funds from the co-financed projects and the agricultural development fund.
The first public reaction to the favor shown in the two municipalities came from the mayor of Dromolaxia-Meneou, Kypro Andronikou, who stated before the Parliamentary Committee for Refugees that because the municipality of Dromolaxia was designated a "suburban area", there is difficulty in absorbing community funds.
Noting that there is only one urban center in each city and that only the four large municipalities (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos) are covered, Mr. Andronikou pointed out that the Municipality of Dromolaxia had the same characteristics as the municipalities of Paralimni and Ayia Napa, which, however, are now considered "urban centers", so they are entitled to some sponsorships.
It is worth noting that the two municipalities were declared urban city centers, without a city "in action", since the city of Famagusta to which they belong is occupied.
But how were the Municipalities of Paralimni - Ayia Napa characterized as "urban centers"? The government wanted to rent a building in Paralimni in order to relocate the provincial offices of the Land Registry, Urban Planning and District Administration of Famagusta, while in addition, the mayors of the two municipalities were pressuring to start receiving European funds. In response to the Minister of Transport, Marios Dimitriadis, to the MP Irini Charalambidou (on the occasion of the rental of the building in which government services will eventually be relocated) dated March 10, the following are also mentioned:
- The Council of Ministers with its decision no. 76.490 and dated 23/5/2014 decided to authorize the Minister of Interior to take within three months all appropriate actions for the temporary designation of the center of the Municipality of Paralimni and Ayia Napa as an urban center of Famagusta until the liberation of the city of Famagusta.
- On June 5, 2014 the if. Famagusta prefect informed the Central Government Housing Agency that the Minister of Interior has decided to co-locate the Provincial Urban Planning and Housing Office, the Provincial Cadastral Office and the Famagusta Provincial Administration in the parish of
The Director General of the European Coordination and Development Programs, Costas Iakovou, informing the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees, stated that for the allocation of European funds related to the promotion of "sustainable urban development" the urban centers of Cyprus located in the centers of , Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca and to which will be distributed (depending on the case) a total of € 85 million.
He also confirmed that Paralimni and Ayia Napa are considered the urban centers of the province of Famagusta, with a political decision taken by the Council of Ministers in 2014.
He clarified that the urban centers are determined on the basis of criteria by the Town Planning and added that the intention was, when the partnership agreement was revised, to include the municipalities of Ayia Napa and Paralimni in the urban centers. As can be seen from Mr. Iakovos' reference to "criteria set by the Town Planning", it is obvious that the two municipalities do not meet the criteria (like many other municipalities) and that is why they were declared "urban centers" with a political decision.
They have an advantage over other Municipalities
The director of the General Directorate of European Coordination and Development Programs, Costas Iakovou, stated that the two municipalities were asked to follow the specifications in the announcement and implementation of projects that are co-financed by the Structural Funds, so that they can be funded if the EU accepts the expansion of urban centers.
However, as has been suggested, until it is possible for the two municipalities to join the European-funded funds, they will have the opportunity (and perhaps the advantage over other municipalities) to absorb increased funds from national resources, which implies discrimination against other municipalities. Moreover, if the municipalities of Paralimni and Ayia Napa are finally included in the cities eligible for funding, they will be eligible for part of the pie, which for the period 2014-2020 was set at € 85 million. It is also noted that, based on what applies in the four major municipalities , in the urban centers of the cities there is an increased building factor (up to 250% under conditions) and consequently the floors that one can build.
What projects can be funded
At present, following the decision of the Council of Ministers, what was offered on the plate in the municipalities of Paralimni and Ayia Napa is the opportunity to claim funds from the agricultural development program in which the Ministries of Agriculture and Interior are involved.
The beneficiary municipalities to claim funds related to agricultural development include the municipalities of Idali, Poleos Chrysochous and Athienou.
Dromolaxia, whose mayor reacts to the exclusion of his municipality from the co-financed, falls under the Larnaca Local Plan and is considered a suburban municipality, when it is excluded.
It is noted that the amount of Community funds that are expected to be granted to Cyprus in the period 2014-2020 for Cohesion Policy, based on the Agreement reached at the European Council on 8 February 2013, amounts to € 526 million.
In the framework of the processes of the competent bodies of the European Union and in accordance with the Regulations, a part of the resources of the European Regional Development Fund should be spent on integrated urban development projects.
Local Authorities, in preparing and submitting their proposals for urban development projects, should adopt approaches that contribute to:
- In the diversification and flexibility of the local economy.
- In the development of human resources and local employment.
- Improving urban space, including sustainable transport systems, renewable energy sources and sound energy management, which contribute significantly to job creation.
- In the renovation of historic centers.
- In the development of urban infrastructure and technology.
The aim is to give, among other things, equal development opportunities, in all urban areas, so that each region can utilize its territorial qualifications and understand its comparative advantages, in order to achieve economic development.
Source: Liberal