The 1.2 billion euro integrated port-marina development project in Larnaca is the largest development ever undertaken in Cyprus, Transport, Communications and Works Minister Yiannis Karousos said, expressing satisfaction that the investor is proceeding with the implementation of the contract.

Addressing a ceremony on Tuesday evening, during which the Larnaca Marina opened its gates to the public, Karousos referred to an "integrated tourism experience" and said that in order to achieve this, benchmarks, infrastructure and experiences must be created.

"As the Ministry of Transport, I am proud of what we have achieved for Larnaca, including the major development of the port and marina, which is a project that will greatly change the city of Zenon, while the redevelopment of the marina in particular will provide many experiences," he said.

He added that the project of the integrated development of Larnaca port and marina is the biggest investment we have in Cyprus at the moment, an investment of 1.2 billion euros.

"We are very pleased to see that the investor is proceeding with the implementation of the contract. We are lucky that there are such reliable investors and the opening of the Larnaca Marina to the public means that slowly this great vision for the city is beginning to materialise," the Minister said.

He added that among the projects completed in Larnaca are the Archaeological Museum and the upgrading of the Larnaca-Dhekelia road, a project that the local community has been asking for decades.

He said the ministry had also done its bit to move oil reservoirs from the coastal front so that Larnaca would also have an excellent prospect for development.

"A few days ago, we discussed with the city's mayor various issues such as the creation of breakwaters to deal with the erosion that exists so that beaches and a proper coastal front can be created," he added.