Filenews 6 September 2024
Through the government's actions, we managed to reduce migrant arrivals and increase returns, reversing the negative balance that existed in recent years, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Thursday evening, adding that from the first day of taking office, a specific strategy has been implemented so that Cyprus ceases to be considered an attractive destination.
Addressing the inauguration of the Agglisides Cultural Centre, President said that he is aware of the challenges faced by the Community and the wider region, arising from the operation of migrant accommodation structures.
"We are working to address these challenges and seize opportunities that present themselves for the benefit of local residents," he said.
For this reason, he continued, not only the demands of the Agglisides but also the requests of the other Communities were recorded, adding that the aim is to include them in a special development plan for the wider region, which, among other things, will include upgrading the road network, strengthening school units, expanding safety measures, creating public recreational areas and upgraded housing planning.
Regarding the suggestions of the Community Council concerning the security of the area, such as the strengthening of policing, special regulations on the movement of residents and others, the President said that he has discussed them with the Deputy Minister of Migration and they have already been included in the plans of the Deputy Ministry and their implementation begins immediately.
Referring to the general issue of migration, President Christodoulides said that from the first day of assuming the responsibility of governing the country, a specific strategy has been implemented so that our country ceases to be considered an attractive destination.
The results, he continued, "confirm the correctness of our policy", while expressing satisfaction because, as he explained in conversation with residents of the region and in several other areas, they convey to him that they see the results of this policy.
Regarding the Agglisides Cultural Centre, President said that this gives impetus to both the Community and the wider region.
"The Cultural Center has a long history and is an ornament for the Agglisides, since it has always served the Community as a place of cultivation of the spirit, initially under the direction of the Church of Agia Marina and later as the Primary School and the kindergarten of the Agglisides," President said.
He congratulated the District Officer of Larnaka, Odysseas Hadjistefanou, and said that the District Administration rightly included the renovation of the building and its conversion into a Cultural Centre among its priorities, allocating to cover the construction works an amount of €211,000 out of the total €250,000 that the project cost.
He said that the traditional character of the building and the modern infrastructure coexist harmoniously, adding that the Cultural Center has all the resources to function as a focus of cultural, social and recreational activity, with multiple benefits for residents and visitors, but especially for the youth of the wider region.
He noted that among the main objectives of the Center's operation is the impetus of young people to creative activity and the offer of a healthy choice for their active daily occupation and entertainment.
He said that the creation of the library at the Centre was made possible after the kind donation of the personal collection of Professor Savvas Sakkadas, President of AHEPA Larnaca, in memory of his student Jason Yiasoumis from Agglisides.
The library, said President, will be used by the public as a carrier of knowledge and values and guardian of our spiritual and cultural heritage, leaving forever as a guiding beacon Jason's love for Letters and Education.
As the President of the Republic said, the Cultural Centre and a multitude of other smaller or larger development projects that are being launched or are being implemented in the Communities of the region, have a special value and importance in the context of the new form of Local Government.
As President said, especially for the Communities, the Reform is expected in the medium term to have very substantial and beneficial results, with strengthening of the Communities, effectiveness and progress for the development of the living standards of the inhabitants.
At another point in his speech, he said that with specific actions and projects, the revitalization of rural areas is being promoted, so that they become centers of cultural, agricultural, environmental and tourism development and points of attractive living and professional employment.
He also said that a holistic approach is being implemented for housing, in which all Ministries and Deputy Ministries implement targeted value-added actions especially for rural areas.
The President referred to the housing plans for the revitalization of Rural Areas, which have as a central objective the attraction of a new population, mainly young families, to the villages.
President Christodoulides urged young people and those who are now starting their families to take advantage of the very attractive housing schemes that are constantly being evaluated.
Referring to the efforts made by the Community Council of Anglisides to acquire adjacent plots for the creation of a Square, which is, as he said, a timeless request, he assured that the State will be next to the Council for the implementation of the project.
He added that the cooperation of the central state and local authority yields positive results.
In his address, President Christodoulides also referred to yesterday's decision of the Council of Ministers to grant the former Cooperative building to the community.
He explained that any procedures for the sale of the property, which will be leased to the community, are frozen.
