Filenews 16 March 2022 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The economic crisis and the difficult conditions prevailing in the country due to the pandemic in the last two years have affected to some extent the implementation of the projects included in the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities, since it is estimated that under different conditions more actions and projects would be completed or would be in progress.
Last Wednesday, the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, chaired, at the Presidential Palace, a wide-ranging meeting on the development of mountain communities. The meeting was attended by the ministers of the interior, agriculture, health, transport, justice, the deputy minister to the president, the deputy minister for research and innovation, the commissioner for the development of mountain communities and officials.
The meeting evaluated the progress of the programs and projects implemented in the mountains, in the context of policies and actions that are part of the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities.
During the meeting, which took place under the President of the Republic and in the presence of all the ministers involved, the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, Costas Champiaouris, presented the general picture of the course of the 269 actions of the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities. The President of the Republic expressed his satisfaction with the general picture presented to him, according to which 197 of the 269 actions (73%) have been implemented or are at an advanced stage of implementation. These are important actions which, upon their completion, will greatly change the image of our mountainous regions.
Some important actions that are currently being implemented are the upgrading of the Pulmonary and Tuberculosis Clinic of the Troodos Hospital by the Ministry of Health at a cost of €5,283,000. Another €1,200,000 will cost to upgrade the First Aid Department of Troodos Hospital. These projects, totalling €6,300,000, fall under the broader planning for the modernization and reorganization of the Health System, with the aim of providing quality medical services to all citizens, regardless of their geographical place of residence.
One of the major projects that are in progress is the upgrading of the road network Limassol – Polemidia – Palodia – Alassa – Saittas with a total cost of €31,089,000. At the moment, the first phase from Polemidia to Palodia is in progress.
Among the major projects that are in progress is the modernization of the systems and infrastructure in the mountainous communities of Troodos with a total cost of €31,000,000. The completion of the Solea irrigation project is currently underway. The Ministry of Agriculture with a budget of €2,540,000 creates infrastructure for livestock farming. Specifically, in the context of the elaboration of the Policy Statement for Troodos, the existing livestock zones in Troodos will be evaluated and their spatial distribution will be redefined based on local needs. Depending on these needs, the required urban - street planning will follow for their activation.
From funding programs of the Ministry of Energy for energy upgrading of enterprises, the goal has been set to give 100 grants of a total cost of €3,000,000 for the energy upgrade of business buildings in mountain communities. Also, the adoption and implementation of the institutions of the energy communities and Virtual Net Metering with a total cost of €6,000,000 is promoted.
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism has at its disposal a budget of €8,000,000 to support tourism businesses. Furthermore, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has at its disposal a budget of €2,535,000 for the creation of a Mountain Rescue, with the preparation of the routes and stations, the fleet and its necessary infrastructure, as well as the formulation of a promotional and action plan for the promotion of the Mountain Rescue.
Crafts in the Linou area cost €2,000,000 is promoted by the Ministry of Interior. The same ministry has at its disposal a budget of €1,000,000 for the maturation and implementation of infrastructure for the action plans of museums, monuments, information centres and cultural sites and a network of multicentres of social welfare, education and lifelong learning.
The operation of social welfare perimeters costing €1,000,000 is promoted by the Ministry of Labour.
The Ministry of Education promotes a technical and vocational school of education and training in Omodos, with the creation of two new fields of study (winery - viticulture, cheese making - dairy) with a budget of € 703,000.
Priority projects to be implemented
During the meeting, the President of the Republic indicated, in consultation with the Commissioner and the competent ministers, some flagship projects, which should be given priority and gave clear instructions so that they can proceed without delay. These projects include the following:
1. Creation of a High Sports Training Center in Prodromos (Ministry of Education).
2. Upgrading of the Sports Center "Glafkos Clerides" in Agros (Ministry of Education).
3. Review of the policy of granting an allowance in mountain areas and in areas with an altitude of less than 600 metres (Ministry of Interior).
4. Operation of the Agronomy Branch at the Agricultural Technical School in Galata (Ministry of Education).
5. Creation of a Popular Market in Karvounas (Ministry of Agriculture).
6. Creation of a Heliport in Linou (Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Justice).
7. Creation of an Ambulance Station in Kampos (Ministry of Health).
8. Staffing of an ambulance station in Pedoulas (Ministry of Health).
9. Creation of a Fire Station in Pedoulas (Ministry of Justice).
10. Troodos Hospital (Ministry of Health).
11. Creation of a industrial area in Linou (Ministry of Interior).
On Monday the presentation of projects and actions
Next Monday, at 11:30 a.m., the President of the Republic will present, together with the competent Ministers and the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, in detail, the projects and actions, as well as the course of the national strategy for the development of mountain communities so far. The National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities, the first in the history of the Republic of Cyprus for the development of mountainous areas, does not remain static, but is constantly enriched with new programs and actions.
Actions of an institutional nature
The meeting discussed actions that have an institutional character and concern all ministries / deputy ministries: ● Preparation of diagnosis and Operational Program for the expansion of the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities of Troodos ● Preparation and approval of a new Troodos Policy Statement ● Establishment of the principle of mountainousity and the policy of mountainous areas of the Republic of Cyprus ● Conduct of a study for the preparation of a Plan for the Integrated Development of the Region of Tylliria ● Preparation of a Bill for the Visitable – Multifunctional Farm ● Preparation of a Strategic Environmental Impact Study ● Bill for the recognition of Cottage Industry.
