The Ayia Napa Marina establishes Cyprus as an all-year-round tourist destination, said the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, who attended the grand opening ceremony of the Marina on Tuesday evening.

President Anastasiades characterised Ayia Napa Marina as ''an iconic project", which "will not only alter the tourist landscape of Cyprus, but of the Eastern Mediterranean as well."

He also expressed his "sincere appreciation and gratitude" to Naguib Sawiris and Caramondanis Group for the accomplishment of the project.

"Ayia Napa Marina provides international world–class yachting facilities, luxurious residences and multi-purpose entertainment venues, said President Anastasiades, adding that setting high standards in terms of environmental protection and the provision of smart services to ships and visitors, it "is the only one in our immediate region which has been awarded with a relevant ISO Certificate."

He went on to say that the added value of such a development significantly strengthens the position of Cyprus in an increasingly competitive global environment, making it an ideal environment for both visitors and investors.

"Both I and the government feel really proud since this project proves that we fully utilize our comparative advantages, such as our location at the cross-roads of three continents, with an established culture of warmth and hospitality and a modern legal system which is being widely recognised as being effective and truly business-friendly", said President Anastasiades.

He also pointed out that the added value of such a development significantly strengthens the position of Cyprus in an increasingly competitive global environment, making it an ideal environment for both visitors and investors.

High-value projects such as the Ayia Napa Marina create hundreds of new jobs and attract quality tourism and adhere to the government's strategically oriented policies in establishing Cyprus as an all-year-round tourist destination, said the President, adding that this strategy includes the growth of nautical and maritime tourism, through the development of Marinas along the coastline of Cyprus and the licensing of yacht berthing and superyacht areas.

President Anastasiades pointed out that "in addition to the Limassol Marina and Port, we have established related and interconnected projects, such as the Paralimni and the Larnaca Marinas and Ports."

He also noted that ''the Ayia Napa Marina will bring about the positive effects that the constructive and transparent cooperation between the Central Government, local authorities and private sector entails." This project, he said, will prove to be a jewel of Cyprus and the Mediterranean.