Supporting rural areas is a primary goal for the government that is methodically working in this direction, Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Thursday evening addressing at the inauguration of the new offices of the Lythrodontas Community Council, in the Nicosia district.

President Christodoulides noted that the new offices, with the upcoming local government reform implementation, will host the headquarters of the Machairas area community cluster, which is one of the largest clusters being created in Cyprus through the reform.

He said that the government pays great importance and gives priority to upgrading projects and regional development planning for rural areas, and expressed hope that the reform, to be implemented on July 1 this year, would decisively contribute in this direction.

The government, the Ministry of Interior and the Unions of Municipalities and Communities are working towards “the smoothest possible transition” into the new era, he added, noting that they were ready to face any challenges that may arise once the reform is implemented.

For the government, he noted, supporting rural areas was a primary goal “and we are working methodically in this direction”. He said that the state’s key mission was to make sure it offers to the local population the necessary infrastructure and services that will make their everyday lives easier, more comfortable, and more dignified.