Filenews 30 March 2025
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, referred to more than 60 projects, with a budget of more than €180 million for the District of Larnaca, during the broad meeting he chaired with Larnaca institutions, as part of his tour of Municipalities and Communities of Cyprus.
Nikos Christodoulides set as a key priority the practical support of the Larnaca district and the continuous improvement of the daily life of citizens.
In his speech at the meeting, President Christodoulides focused on the substantial upgrading of the city and the province, announcing specific interventions and projects that touch on a wide range of policies, from the economy and agriculture to education and health.
He referred to the improvement of infrastructure, such as the definitive resolution of the issues at the Port of Larnaca, with the signing in April of the relevant agreement with the Hellenic Public Property Development Fund (HRADF), the dredging and maintenance works of the Marina, as well as the new agreement that ensures improved conditions for Larnaca Airport.
The President of the Republic also announced a series of projects to promote monuments and infrastructure throughout the province to enhance the tourism product and cultural heritage.
In the field of Education, the President of the Republic announced the Government's decision, after the evaluation of the feasibility study, to finance the project for the establishment of a School of Marine Sciences, Technology and Sustainable Development of CUT in Larnaca, which is expected to operate in 2027 and contribute to the connection of young people with the blue economy and research. In the same context, the Government's practical support to Larnaca's effort to host branches of Departments/Faculties of foreign universities was underlined, a prospect that is made possible thanks to the implementation of the Government's new Unified Strategy for Higher Education and the adoption of the relevant legislation.
In addition, the construction of new school units and the upgrading of existing ones are underway, including the new Technical and Vocational School of Green Professions that will replace the Technical School of Agios Lazaros, a project with a budget of more than €30 million.
President Christodoulides also referred to the promotion of the Business Innovation and Research Center for young entrepreneurs in Aradippou, which will offer, among other things, housing to young people who will be able to have jobs at low cost.
He also announced the allocation of new funds for the primary sector, with emphasis on strengthening livestock and fisheries, investing in strengthening the competitiveness of the primary sector with interventions aiming, among other things, at reducing energy costs and irrigation costs, providing practical support to young farmers and livestock breeders, as well as the launch of the new Investment Program of €60 million under the Strategic Plan CAP Plan 2023-2027.
Large-scale interventions in the field of Energy and Environmental Protection were also announced, with emphasis on sustainable development, the gradual upgrading of the Koshi OEDA, and the restoration of the Larnaca Refinery area.
Of particular importance is the completion of significant improvement projects with emphasis on water supply, and in this context the recent decision of the Council of Ministers to immediately allocate a fund of €8 million, in the first stage, to the EDAs for repairs and maintenance of water supply networks in order to address water losses.
Important announcements also concern the Health sector, with an upgrade of infrastructure at the New General Hospital of Larnaca, with a budget of €16.4 million and with additional interventions for the improvement of the Accident and Emergency Departments and in particular the creation of a Rapid Circulation Clinic for Accident and Emergency Departments.
The improvement of public transport and the construction of new road connections are vital for the quality of life and the daily life of the residents of the city and the countryside and in this context important infrastructure upgrade projects have been announced.
Finally, the President confirmed the Government's will to deepen cooperation with Local Government bodies, announcing that the state sponsorship to municipalities and communities will be paid unconditionally, allowing them to maintain a reserve and strengthening their financial independence, while, at the same time, an annual amount of €12 million will be allocated to Local Government Authorities for the three-year period 2025-2027, in order to cover the revenues lost after the change in the responsibilities for development licensing. At the same time, a significant increase in the amount of €3 million that had been given for the maintenance of roads of primary importance is also foreseen, with the final determination to follow after a thorough study by the Union of Municipalities.
The President of the Republic referred, among others, to the following projects:
Larnaca Port and Marina
· The President referred to the conclusion of an agreement with HRADF for a study of the optimal utilization of the port, which will be signed in April, with the aim of selecting the best solution for the benefit of the local community and the whole of Cyprus.
· For the Marina, the dredging and maintenance works have already been approved, while a relevant study has been prepared. The competition was published yesterday.
· As part of the architectural competition, a new building of the Nautical Club will be erected.
Larnaca International Airport
· An agreement has been reached on improved terms for the state, compared to the previous framework managed by the previous negotiation.
· Expansion and renovation projects have begun, seeking to improve the travel experience, with an emphasis on the comfort of passengers and visitors, while it is noted that 2023 was a record year with 12.3 million passengers.
Education: New School Units and University Structures
· The President announced the operation of a new School of Marine Sciences, Technology and Sustainable Development in Larnaca, with the aim of welcoming students in 2027.
· The construction of a new Technical and Vocational School of Green Professions, worth more than 30 million euros, which will replace the Technical School of Agios Lazaros, is being promoted.
· The construction of new school units and extensive improvements to existing schools (Drosia High School, Evriviadio High School, etc.) are also underway, with funds totalling €40 million for the School Boards.
Health: Upgrading Hospitals and Primary Care
o For the New General Hospital of Larnaca, projects of €16.4 million are planned for the two-year period 2025-2026, including the creation of additional surgeries and clinical endoscopy.
o It is planned to upgrade the Department of Accidents and Emergencies (AEP), the improvement of the Department of Radiology and the creation of a Rapid Traffic Clinic for non-emergencies.
o The further staffing of the Athienou Health Center with specialist doctors is promoted, on a weekly basis, strengthening the provision of services in remote areas.
Tourism Development
· Tourist arrivals exceeded four million last year, while revenues exceeded €3 billion.
· For the Larnaca district, a total support of more than €1 million is foreseen through rural revitalization projects, strengthening of catering areas, upgrading of hotel accommodation and improvement of infrastructure on organized beaches.
· In addition, conservation and upgrading works are planned, such as the Castle of Larnaca, the archaeological site of Choirokoitia and the Medieval Chapel in Pyrga, with a budget of more than €600,000.
Primary Sector (Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries)
o Water supply and road network improvement projects for the livestock areas of Larnaca district have been completed or are in progress, with funds exceeding €550,000.
o The Larnaca recycled water use project is in progress, with a budget of more than €3 million within 2025.
o In May, the new CAP 2023-2027 Strategic Plan of €60 million will be announced, with the aim of supporting farmers and young livestock breeders, in combination with simplified licensing procedures.
o Investments of up to €800,000 per unit for the management of livestock waste are also progressing, with the aim of reducing nuisances and strengthening environmental protection.
Energy and Environment
o The interim upgrade of the Koshi OEDA has been launched with a tender notice for a feasibility study at the beginning of April 2025, so that at the beginning of 2026 there will be the contractors for the immediate improvements.
o From 1 April 2025, VAT on electricity is reduced from 19% to 9%.
o Plans are being implemented for the expansion of the Port of Vassilikos, at a cost of 320 million euros, in green energy standards and with an expected start at the end of 2025 and completion in 2029.
o The complete restoration of the Larnaca Refinery area is progressing, in order to ensure the necessary safety and health conditions. A pilot decontamination of a specific small piece and extensive control of the rest is imminent.
Water Supply and Sewerage Infrastructure
o Phase D of the Larnaca Sewerage System, which also concerns the areas of Aradippou, Pyla, Voroklini and Livadia, has a budget of €275 million, while another €108 million will be allocated for sewerage works in Dromolaxia, Meneou, Kiti and Pervolia.
o At the last Council of Ministers, a budget of 8 million euros was approved for the reduction of water losses in the Provincial Organizations, as well as €1 million per year for the three-year period 2025-2027 for community water supply networks outside the competence of the EDA.
o It was announced that a contract was signed at the end of May 2025 for the replacement of the Choirokoitia-Famagusta pipeline, with the aim of completion in June 2027.
Road Infrastructure and Public Spaces Projects
o Improvements are planned on central avenues (Griva Digeni, Grigoris Afxentiou), remodeling of Nikos Theofanous Avenue in Xylofagou, as well as upgrading of Grigori Afxentiou Street in Kofinou.
o Important projects are planned in Pyrga (nature trail and event site) and in the nuclei of communities such as Kato Anglisides, Tersefanou and Menogeia.
o A Citizen's Center is created and operates at the Kition Post Office, through cooperation with the local community.
Social Policy, Housing and Refugee Policy
o In addition to the approval of self-housing plots in Kivisili (82 plots, of which 54 have already been allocated) and Menoya (9 plots, of which 6 have been allocated), requests for low-income families are also supported.
o A bill was tabled for the modernization of the concession and management of Turkish Cypriot properties, emphasizing transparency, equality and meritocracy among refugees.
o New regulations were adopted for the Central Body for Equal Burden Sharing, with increased aid limits for beneficiaries.
Local Government Reform
o The President announced that state sponsorship to municipalities and communities would be paid unconditionally, allowing them to maintain a reserve and strengthening their financial independence.
o An annual amount of €12 million will be allocated to Local Government Authorities for the three-year period 2025-2027, in order to cover the revenues lost after the change in the responsibilities for development licensing.
o At the same time, a significant increase in the amount of €3 million that had been given for the maintenance of roads of primary importance is foreseen, with the final determination to follow after a thorough study by the Union of Municipalities.
