The opening of the Pyroi roadblock remains a priority for the Greek Cypriot side, in light of his upcoming trip to New York, said the President of the Republic, speaking in Athenou at an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the municipality’s founding. “We’re talking about a distance—as you know—of about 12 kilometers from Pyroi to Aglantzia. Think about what opening this roadblock would mean—it would be just 12 kilometers from here to Nicosia. And that is precisely why we will persist.” He noted that at the last meeting, attended by the UN Secretary-General, he presented a compromise proposal, describing it as a “reasonable compromise,” “We accepted it, but unfortunately, the Turkish side rejected it; however, ahead of my trip to New York, this issue remains a priority for us,” he emphasized.
He also referred to Athienou’s development prospects and the unique circumstances created by the ongoing occupation, noting that geographical isolation and the ceasefire line affect daily life, transportation, economic activity, and the region’s development potential. “We cannot talk about Athienou and its development prospects without talking about the illegal occupation that has been in place since 1974,” he said, adding that “the consequences of the occupation are not an abstract political concept. It is a reality that affects daily life, transportation, economic activity, and the development potential of an entire municipality, as well as the wider region.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
In his speech, he also referred to the government’s plan to make Athienou an even more attractive place to live, noting that “this effort is part of the same strategy, which includes the Housing Plans for the revitalization of mountainous, remote, and disadvantaged areas, in which Athienou is participating and playing a leading role”. He also noted that in Athienou, 121 applications from families have been approved, totaling more than €5.3 million.
In an off-script remark, he also announced that the request to transfer the former Cooperative building had been approved, as well as the replacement of the lighting at Othellos Stadium. “I am announcing that we will do this as well,” said the President.
Projects to Strengthen Athienou
The President referred, among other things, to the strengthening of the Health Center, the promotion of cooperation between OKYPY and the University of Thessaly, the proposal to establish a Dairy – Cheese-Making School, and the establishment and operation of a branch of the University of Thessaly in Athenou. He also referred to redevelopment projects totaling over €5.9 million, as well as the approval of 121 applications from families, totaling over €5.3 million, as part of the housing programs.
“Today, two years later, I am pleased because what we promised you, we are delivering. We are making it a reality through specific policies and projects, with the aim of improving the daily lives of the residents of Athenou and the wider region, as well as strengthening the region’s development prospects,” said the President.
Regarding health, he referred to the need for the effective operation and utilization of the Athenou Health Center, noting that “the Athienou Health Center is an important primary health care facility, offering residents of Athienou and the wider region access to basic health services in their own community.”
To further strengthen the sectors of Health and Education, he said that “a meeting has also taken place with the Minister of Health as well as with OKYPY, in order to establish a framework for cooperation between OKYPY and the University of Thessaly, which is coming to Athenou”.
In the field of education, the President said that “the Ministry of Education has prepared a proposal for the establishment of a Dairy – Cheese-Making School in Athenou, through the Post-Secondary Institutes of Vocational Education and Training,” adding that the operation of such a program “will build on the region’s tradition and expertise in dairy farming and animal husbandry.”
At the same time, he said, “we strongly support the establishment and operation of the University of Thessaly’s branch in Athenou, with an emphasis on the School of Veterinary Medicine.” In this context, he added, “the old elementary school was transferred to the Municipality of Athenou to house the administration and headquarters of the School of Veterinary Medicine.”
The President also referred to the construction of the new elementary school and the “Nikos Mougiaris,” describing it as “a significant investment that not only serves educational needs but also functions as a space for culture, creativity, and social activity.”
Regarding the projects to revitalize and upgrade the urban fabric and cultural heritage, he mentioned the restoration of the Old Market and its conversion into a multifunctional cultural center, a project costing over €2.4 million, which, as he said, “creates a new hub of cultural and social activity in the community.”
At the same time, he referred to the construction of the Central Church Square, a project with a budget of over €3.5 million, which “is part of a broader plan to upgrade public spaces and enhance the functionality of the historic center of Athenou.”
“The interventions I mentioned earlier are not piecemeal policies. They are part of a comprehensive plan aimed at making Athenou an even more attractive place to live, raise a family, work, and invest,” he said.
He also included in this plan the Housing Programs for the revitalization of mountainous, remote, and disadvantaged areas, noting that Athienou is participating in them “playing a leading role.” “121 applications from families here in Athenou have been approved, totaling more than €5.3 million,” he said, adding that “behind these numbers are young people and young families who are gaining the opportunity to build their lives in a region with great prospects,” said the President of the Republic.
Referring to the 100-year history of the Municipality of Athienou, President Christodoulides noted that it is inextricably linked to the modern history of Cyprus, while he mentioned that “especially after the Turkish invasion of 1974, Athienou was called upon to face a very harsh reality,” explaining that the occupation of a large part of its administrative territory, geographical isolation, and the restrictions imposed by the ceasefire line had a decisive impact on the daily lives of residents and the region’s development prospects.”
He emphasized that despite the challenges, “Athienou was neither abandoned nor diminished, and, above all, did not acquiesce to the fait accompli that the occupation sought to impose.” The President also praised the resilience of the residents, noting that they remained in their homeland, raised families, invested, and fostered economic, social, and cultural life.
“This is the Athienou we honor today. A remote municipality that, despite the objective difficulties it has faced for 52 years, has managed to progress, develop, maintain a dynamic and productive character, and create the conditions and infrastructure for an even more optimistic future,” emphasizing that this constitutes “one of the most important legacies of the 100 years we are honoring today.”
Source: CNA
