The Troodos ski center can be a jewel, an attraction and reference point for Cyprus, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Saturday, at the center's foundation stone laying ceremony.

He spoke of a historic day for Cyprus, adding that although we don’t get much snow in Cyprus, being a Mediterranean country, we could not accept the fact that athletes and visitors for decades were hosted ‘in shacks’,  for which he felt ashamed when he visited them.

The President said that the state funded the center with a sum of 2 mln euro and the country’s ski club contributed with approximately 1,5 mln.

He said that there's not going to be any backsliding or backtracking from the decision and the determination to set up a modern ski center for Cyprus.

He also said that this center will  benefit the residents, the visitors, the growth in the area, adding that although Cyprus is a small country, the sport of ski is emerging and the center will be constructed as a contribution to the whole effort of those who love this sport.

President Anastasiades also noted that Cyprus has not been absent for more than ten years from international skiing events, regardless of whether we have snow or not.