Geopolitical developments in the Middle East and the Black Sea and their potential impact on supply chains require increased preparedness and preventive planning and that is why the Government is proceeding to secure strategic stocks of grain for human consumption, capable of meeting the country's needs for a period of 45 days, in addition to and independently of the stocks maintained for commercial purposes, said President Christodoulidis on Friday night.
In his address at the anniversary event for the tenth anniversary of the Hatzigiorgis Mills Museum in Frenaros, the President said that the preservation of these strategic stocks will be assigned, through open tender procedures, to domestic companies active in the trade and flouring of grain. "This is a prevention and preparedness measure, which we want to strengthen the country's ability to respond to possible disruptions in the supply of basic goods," he said.
The President said that the 55,000 visitors who passed through the Museum during this decade, became partakers of the history of wheat production and milling, as they evolved in Cyprus, over the centuries and lived a unique experience, mentally traveling through the history of our country and the traditions of our people.
He also referred to the Museum's participation in the EndlessSun tourism program, of the Famagusta Tourism Development Company, by hosting tourists during the winter season.
"There is a clear vision to highlight even more tradition, cultural gastronomy, our intangible cultural heritage, and in this way contribute to the upgrading of our tourism product. And I want to announce tonight that this ambitious initiative is fully in line with the plans of our Government, with its strategy, and that is why we will actively support the financing of the project through the next programming period 2028-2034," he said.
He also announced that by September 2027 at the latest, the Government will decide on projects of €3.5 billion for the next seven years, €2.5 billion from European funding and €1 billion from national resources.
The President also referred to projects and policies, in favour of the residents of the Famagusta area, through the integrated strategic plan for the development of more than 30 projects, totalling €122 million.
"It is a priority for our Government taking into account the challenges and particularities of the [province]. It is our basic obligation to strengthen the economy, to upgrade the quality of life of citizens, but also to utilize – because there are significant comparative advantages of the region – these comparative advantages," he said.
