Paphos: A European and Internationally renowned city

A basic pillar of the Municipality’s policy is to intensify the efforts to promote Paphos internationally, mostly within Europe, and to set Paphos as a city which respects its rich historical past, handles the challenges of the present and sets strong foundations for a better future.      
Within this context, the Municipality’s main goal is to create the necessary psychological and technical support for a speedy adjustment to the new European environment and to take advantage of the opportunities already existing in the complex and fairly competitive field of the European Programs. The Municpality of Paphos has already joined and utilised six European Programs.
In the last 15 years, the Municipality has also developed remarkable activities in respect to the relations with Greek and European cities with the twinning system (Paphos-Twinned Greek Cities Network, in which the Greek Municipalities of Kalamaria, Corfu, Lamia, Mytilene and Preveza are taking part, while twinning with the Municipality of Hania is programmed to take place in 2009) twinning with the Italian city Anzio, developing collaborations through signing the relevant memorandums with the Municipalities of Sefton England,  Sofia Bulgaria, Tegea Greece and participating in International organisations (the Network of Ancient Greek ports in the Mediterranean, the Historical Cities of the Mediterranean Network, COPPEM, Europa Nostra, Les Rencontres, Οrganisation of World Heritage Cities,IULA, κ.α.)
Closely linked with the cultural distinction and promotion of Paphos overseas is the institution of the “Pafos Aphrodite Festival”, which is one of the most strategic chapters of the city and district in terms of culture and tourism, since through this institution it creates opportunities for Paphos to be set as a centre of international cultural events.
Of a great importance for the city’s international character is the development of the idea to name Paphos the Archaeological Capital of Cyprus, an idea which lies within a certain context and is expected to be made into a formal proposal.
Another valuable medium to internationally promote Paphos, is the luxurious edition of the Municipality regarding the city and the greater area, in the form of an album. The album circulates in both Greek and English.  
In this context, the Municipality’s course of action is divided into two major scales –The field of International Relations and Collaborations, and
-The field of European Programs.  

1. International Relations and Collaborations
a) Science and Technology in Archaeology Research Centre(S.T.A.R.C.)
The establishment of S.T.A.R.C. in Paphos, is undoubtedly a great success of a strategic importance, since the Centre sets the district on the map of international scientific research and modern technology. The Cyprus Institute, the Municipality of Paphos and the Municipality of Yeroskipou have cooperated for the Centre’s establishment and development. The Establishment Agreement and the Cooperation Memorandum were signed between the parties on 23 June 2007 at a special ceremony held at the forecourt of the “House of the District Officer”. The establishment of S.T.A.R.C. is a part of the Cyprus Institute’s plans for the creation of seven Research centres, which serve the three fold purpose of research-education-economy. The Centre shall promote research, development and application of the use of modern scientific and technological techniques in Archaeology, as well as preserve and promote our cultural heritage. According to the Cooperation Memorandum, the S.T.A.R.C. Administration Department shall be located at the “House of the District Officer”, which shall be preserved-renovated through a special project, while the laboratories shall be constructed in the area of Anavargos.
A small infrastructure shall also be created at the port of Paphos for the preservation of the equipment for marine research, while the “Germanina Farmhouse” in Yermasogia shall be used for the operation of Summer Schools. The parties shall finance the survey for the building infrastructure and viability of the project and the necessary funds shall be requested from European Programs and grants from the private and government sectors.
Summer Schools began operating in summer 2008 at temporary education grounds, while the 40 first students were housed at tourist accommodations.

b) Twinned Cities – International Networks
In the current year, the Municipality of Paphos strengthened its relations with the twinned cities and broadened its collaboration with Municipalities and Organisations from overseas.
A novelty in this field is the active participation of the citizens in the Municipality’s international relations in the form of organised visits exchange (a group of elderly citizens visited Anzio and a group of elderly from Anzio visited Paphos) and organising mutual educational and entertaining events.
Collectively, the main activities are as follows:
-Strengthening the relations between Paphos and its twinned cities in Greece via visit exchange, organising mutual events, children’s camps and promoting the collaboration between youth societies, cultural authorities and artistic groups.
-Broadening activities with the twinned Municipality of Anzio, Italy through the exchange of visits by the citizens and elected members. The course of twinning from 2004 until this day is highly successful and productive.
- Strengthening the relations between Paphos and the Municipality of Shefton England in order to create mutual initiatives in the fields of Youth and Tourism.
-Participation in the “Aphrodite” International Thematic Network created with the initiative of the Municipality of Yeroskipou and promotion of a small feature film (documentary) for the history, archaeology and modernity of Paphos.
-Participation in the founding Conference for the “Mediterranean Fortified Cities” Network, which was held by the initiative of Calgary, Italy.
-Development of close relations and provision of aid and assistance to the international excavating missions in Paphos (Universities of Warsaw, Catagna and Sydney).
-Organisation of a seminar for the Cyprus matter in Paphos in the framework of the Paphos-Twinned Greek Cities Network, in the presence of the Greek and Cypriot Ministers of the Exterior, Ms Dora Bakoyiannis and Mr Marcos Kyprianou respectively.
-Paphos and Anzio student exchange in the context of twinning the cities.
-The exchange of students from Paphos Public Music School with Sefton Music School students and organising mutual events-concerts in the two cities.
-Housing students and their chaperones from the Municipality of Kalamaria in Paphos and housind students from Paphos to Halkidiki, in the context of Summer Camps.
-Meeting of officers of the Municipalities of Paphos and Hania, in Hania, to organise and prepare the twinning of the two cities. The Mayor shall visit Hania on December 1st to attend the functions of the Union of Crete with Greece.
-Visit of the Mayor of Tegea to Paphos for the signing of a Cooperation Memorandum between the two historical cities on October 28th, 2008 and the same visit of representatives from Paphos to Tegea.
-A visit of representatives from the Municipality of Paphos to Sofia and signing of a Cooperation Memorandum between the two cities.
-Events in Paphos on December 5th, 2008 for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture, the European Parliament’s office in Cyprus, the representatives of the European Committee in Cyprus and the Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus.
-For Christmas 2008, the Philharmonic orchestra of the Municipality of Paphos is programmed to visit and stay in Anzio, Italy.
-Maintaining and developing actions in the frameworks of the International Networks and Organisations the Municipality is taking part in.
   
2) European Programs

It is highly encouraging the fact that the Municipality has managed in a very short period to become involved in the European Programs and put the opportunities given by the induction of Cyprus into the E.U. to a good use, by earning experience and receiving funds to be used for tourism, environmental and social welfare purposes.   

Nowadays, the Municipality of Paphos is taking part in six European Programs three of which concern tourism, one concerns the environment and the other two concern social welfare with a total budget of approved expenses of approximately 300.000 euro.

Programs concerning Tourism are a part of the Communal initiative INTERREG III B’ ARCHIMED and are as follows:

“MedTourNet” Project, coordinated by the Central Macedonia Chamber Union and partnered by the Greek Chamber Union, the Municipality of Paphos, the Chamber of Foggia Italy and και τον “MedOro” Sicily Development organisation. The goal of the program is to develop Tourism in the respective areas through the projection of the tourist packet and finding ways to lessen the phenomenon of seasonality.
To achieve this goal, certain measures are foreseen and financed, such as creating a web portal to promote tourist businesses and the development of business relations, carrying out research concerning the development of tourism, circulating advertisements, organising seminars etc.
Here, it must be noted that this program was evaluated by the Administrative Authority of INTERREG as one of the most successful projects since it has presented specific actions with tangible results and a good use of funds thus, the Authority has decided upon further funding the project with a total of 250.000 euro. The Program was completed successfully on November 15th, 2008.
        
“Medmission” Project coordinated by the Prefecture of Dodecanese and partnered by the Holy Bishoprics of Rhodes and Thessaloniki, the Municipality of Paphos, the Municipality of Reggio Calabria Italy and the Temi Zammit Foundation, Malta.

The purpose of the program is to use and promote historical elements and monuments derived form the visits of Saint Paul in the respective areas to develop religious tourism.
The funded actions concern the creation of a website, carrying out historical and religious studies, issuing advertisements, organising an international festival for Saint Paul in Rhodes, constructing a special monument through which the link of each city-partner with the Apostle of Nations is projected and the historic value of the place surfaces.
For Paphos, this monument was constructed by the Copper institute in Athens and was placed at the Paphos port. The revelation ceremony took place on September 27th in the framework of the functions organised by the Municipality of Paphos in cooperation with the Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for the World Day of Tourism. The revelation was made by the Archbishop of Cyprus, Chrysostomos.
The Program was completed successfully in September 2008.

“MedCoast” Project coordinated by the Municipality of Agria Magnesia and partnered by the university of Thessaly, the Municipality of Paphos, the Municipality of Sorrento Italy, the University of Naples Italy, the Temi Zammit Foundation, Malta and the City Council of Birgu, Malta.

The purpose of the program is to improve tourism through upgrading and beautifying the beaches. The Municipality of Paphos joined this program with the Faros beach for which specific environmental and aesthetic interventions were funded, such as the creation of a pedestrian’s road for the area. The Program was also completed successfully in July 2008.
    
The two programs that have to do with Social Welfare are coordinated and partnered by the Municipality of Paphos and are developed in the framework of the project titled “Expansion and Improvement of Service Units and services for Children, Elderly, Invalid and other dependants”. The total budget for the programs is 100.000 pounds (50.000 pounds each) and is funded 50% by the European Communal Fund and 50% by National funds through the Social Welfare Services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.

-The first Program titled “Upgrade of the Children Protection and Activity Centre of Kato Paphos” is implemented in cooperation with the Kato Paphos Social Welfare Committee and concerns the area’s Child Club. The purpose of the program is to create creative activities for children of working mothers during the afternoons and school holidays. Twenty-five children, ages 9 to 12, participate in this program, who receive free lunch and afternoon snack, breakfast during school holidays, care by a trained and educated staff, a tutor that helps them with their homework and various educational and fun activities.

- The second Program titled “Caring and Healthy Activities for the Elderly at Mouttalos Adult Centre” is implemented in cooperation with the Paphos Communal Volunteer Board. In this program 25 elderly of the area participate, who depend on working people. They are provided with medical care, physiotherapy, various entertaining activities, free breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.
      
It must be noted that these two Programs helped to create an important number of work places for our citizens – mainly unemployed university graduates, as well as helping staff – who were employed in order to cover the needs.

NEW PROGRAM FOR APROVAL
-Medvil: A new Program for the promotion of our cultural and historic heritage (in the case of Paphos, action is focused in promoting the goddess Aphrodite, in collaboration with Kouklia).

Paphos: the tourist destination

It is very well known that tourism is the most important and most lucrative section of the Cypriot economy for decades the beneficial effects is highly evident in the economic growth of the Paphos district. At the same time, it is a bridge of communication and interaction with many foreign countries and especially European countries.
With all of this in mind, the Municipality of Paphos attributed to tourism the relevant importance and attention. The core of the Municipality’s policy is the projection and promotion of tourism, the safeguarding of our cultural heritage, the protection and enrichment of our environment and the preservation of the good quality of life.

Collectively the actions taken up during the current year are as follows:
-Tourism upgrade through the infrastructure projects and large cultural events.
-The participation of the Municipality of Paphos in three European Programs which target – via the provided course of action – the projection and promotion of tourism, the easement of existing issues (such as broadening seasonality), providing easements and services to the small-middle tourism businesses (by creating a web portal), printing advertisements/brochures and improving the beaches.
- Active participation in the newly formed Tourism Development and Promotion Association of the district of Paphos and support of the Association’s activities for the international promotion of the district as well as maintaining close relations with the tourism authorities in Cyprus.
- Support, through written memos and oral suggestions, for the great issues that the tourism of our district is facing (flights to and from the airport of Paphos, seasonality, noise pollution, crime, etc).
 -Upgrade of the Civil Weddings Office and participation in the big, specialised overseas Fairs for the projection of the city and the promotion of this special type of tourism.
-Readjustment of the cleaning program for the benefit of the businesses that deal with tourism.
-Easement of traffic by intervening at specific traffic points and creating new parking spaces.
-Improvement of the beaches and intensify health inspections.
-Reinforcement of the Civil Weddings Office, improvement of the hall where weddings are solemnised and support of overseas promotion.
-Continuation and increase of the efforts against crime, noise pollution and other negative phenomena.
    


RESPONSIBLE COMMITTEE: “FOREIGN RELATIONS AND TOURISM”

Chairman: George Michaelides, Member of Municipal Council
Vice-Chairman: Panayiotis Charalambous, Member of Municipal Council
Members: Akis Chrysomilos, Member of Municipal Council
                     Andreas Papapetrou, Member of Municipal Council
                     Katerina Charalambidou, Member of Municipal Council

Officer: Yiannis Anthis
Τel.: 26 822357
e.mail: foreign.rel@pafos.org.cy
fax:     26 934762