The Government's commitment to the preservation and development of the Troodos region remains strong, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou said on Wednesday afternoon at the inauguration of the new infrastructure of the Troodos Geopark on the occasion of World Mountain Day, noting that a fundamental condition for the revitalisation of the rural mountainous area is the development of entrepreneurship and the creation of employment opportunities in the region.

Panayiotou inaugurated the new infrastructure of the Troodos Geopark in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Costas Constantinou and the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, Charalambos Christofinas.

In her address, the Minister noted that the recent visit of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, to Kato Amiandos was an important initiative to maintain an open dialogue with civil society.

The aim, she continued, "is for policies to reflect the real needs and concerns of society, noting that during President Christodoulides' visit, the challenges of the region were highlighted on the one hand and its potential on the other, strengthening the commitment to support mountain communities."

Panayiotou noted that "the Government's commitment to the preservation and development of the Troodos region remains strong noting, inter alia, that it is for this reason that sustainable development of agriculture remains a key pillar for the future of mountain communities."

The Minister noted that with 50 geosites, 11 abandoned mines and one archaeological site, the Troodos World Geopark is a living World Heritage Site, combining exactly the geological, ecological and cultural features that make it unique.

Moreover, she pointed out that the unique natural landscapes of Troodos not only offer a unique aesthetic value, but also attract leisure and alternative tourism activities, with various economic benefits, especially for the inhabitants of mountainous areas.

"Today, with the inauguration of the new infrastructure of the Troodos Geopark, we are taking an important step in this direction by promoting all these actions implemented by the Troodos Geopark Coordinating Committee", Panayiotou noted, adding that a fundamental prerequisite for the revitalisation of the mountainous countryside is the development of entrepreneurship and the creation of employment opportunities in the region.

Panayiotou said that the interventions implemented with co-funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan through the Ministry of Tourism, upgrade the overall image while enhancing the capacity of the Troodos Geopark Visitor Centre.

She pointed out that, among other things, the actions aim to highlight the geological, mining and cultural history of the area, while at the same time helping to strengthen the local economy, offering new development opportunities, while preserving and protecting the ecological balance of the area.