Cyprus taps into Europe’s mountain know-how

Cyprus is hosting a European conference on mountain areas of large Mediterranean islands, hoping to gain valuable information and know-how from countries with a long tradition in managing mountain area policies and funds.

The European Conference entitled “Mountain areas of large Mediterranean islands: European issues, National and Regional policies and local mechanisms” is taking place in the villages of Platres and Omodos, Limassol district, from Tuesday through Friday.

The deliberations of the conference began today with the participation of 25 representatives from European and international institutions and 35 scientists from 7 European Union member states and six Mediterranean islands (Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Balearic Islands, Crete and Cyprus).

The conference is being organized by the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus and the Office of the Mountain Development Commissioner Costas Hambiaouris.

According to the organizers, the conference aims to acquire experience and accumulated knowledge from other countries with a long tradition in planning and implementing mountain areas-related national policies, which will benefit Cyprus, to contribute actively in enhancing the European policies on mountain areas and to present the Cyprus Mountain Areas Policy and the Mountain Development National Strategy worldwide.

This will also enable Cyprus to effectively contribute to the drafting of policies on mountain areas and take advantage of the exchange of experience and knowledge within the European Union.

Speaking to Cyprus News Agency, Commissioner Hambiaouris noted that this is a very important conference which takes place for the first time in Cyprus.

He expressed his satisfaction with the high turnout on the first day of the conference as well as the great interest shown by European and international organizations, government agencies, universities, research centers and Troodos communities.

«The participants will have the opportunity in the context of the Conference to be informed on the strategies and policies being implemented as well as on the mechanisms applicable to different EU countries and Mediterranean islands for the development of mountain areas, "he said.

He also stressed that National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities, recently approved by the Council of Ministers at the initiative of the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, will be presented during the Conference.

«At the same time, we will have the opportunity to exchange views with rapporteurs, gain expertise and open channels of communication with European and international organizations and bodies promoting the development of mountain areas, "he noted.

The commissioner said that the Conference will also allow Cyprus to participate actively in European and international bodies and to have a say on shaping mountain policies as well as to benefit from the sharing of experience and knowledge and raising funds.

He said that the Conference holds multiple benefits for Cyprus and especially for the mountain communities. The Commissioner also stressed that several businessmen have shown particular interest in the Conference and requested to be informed on the opportunities available for development investments in the mountains.