THE FIRST major step to knock Cyprus into shape in time to take over the EU presidency in 2012 was taken yesterday when a €20.5 million project to renovate the Cyprus International Conference Centre and Philoxenia Hotel, was signed.
“The project will include the creation of conference rooms, business lunch areas, office space for Ministers and other EU delegations. It will also include a media centre, which will support further education and communication. This is an especially important dimension to the EU Presidency for a country like Cyprus,” said Communications and Works Minister Nicos Nicolaides
”There will also be exhibition spaces, restaurants, cafes, security facilities and several other auxiliary spaces. We aim to create a robust operational infrastructure and aesthetic buildings to meet operational requirements.
Nicolaides and Andreas Moleskis, Head of the Secretariat for Cyprus’ EU Presidency, signed the contracts with Militiades Neophytou Civil Engineers, who will undertake the design, construction and maintenance of the new facilities.
Construction on the conference centre and Philoxenia hotel will start in three weeks and is planned to be completed by the end of 2011, ahead of Cyprus’ first six months when it will support the incumbent Denmark, as part of the ‘triple share presidency’. Cyprus will then take over in July 2012.
“I am sure” said Nicolaides ”that this project will be delivered in 23 months as scheduled, so that the premises are ready six months before the start of presidency and we can begin as efficiently as possible.”
Moleskis said: “The current centre will be renovated to meet the needs of all formal ministerial functions, as well as provide office spaces for all the EU delegates.” The capacity, presently around 500, will remain approximately the same.
The proposed media centre will occupy the ground floor of the Philoxenia Hotel and include a complete range of facilities to support up to 500 journalists.
Asked what will happen to the centre after the presidency is over, Moleskis said: “Afterwards there will be a sort of private-public partnership for the whole area. The government intends to invite private investors to purchase the property in the area to attract businesses. When that happens the media centre will probably be demolished.”
He added that the government’s investment in the area will coincide with private investment in local amenities and facilities and that “Anything invested now will get a higher return when it is offered to private investors.”
The preparations will also include development of public transport and parking infrastructure in the region. Christos Ktorides, Director of the Town Planning Department said yesterday “We will undertake the development of some parking facilities and allow for public transport facilities.”
