Reverend Metropolitan Bishop,
Honourable Minister,
Dear Colleagues, Mayors from Cyprus and from abroad,
Distinguished Speakers of the Conference,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Mayor, the Municipal Council, and the citizens of Aglantzia welcome all the delegates of the 11th International Conference of European Cities Against Drugs in Cyprus.
As you will see, Cyprus is a very beautiful island with beautiful beaches, clear blue skies, and excellent climate, especially this time of the year, and rich in cultural and historic antiquities.
Due to the Turkish invasion, this country is divided in two. We have been struggling for thirty years now to reunite this country and its people. This is why we are asking for the help and support of every people in every country. We are especially asking for the help and support of the European Union member states in our struggle to find an appropriate, workable solution to our political problem.
We are certain that the beauties of our country in combination with the arrangements that have been made, will make your stay here a very pleasant one and that will be beneficial for the proceedings of this Conference.
The Conference takes place at the city of Larnaka. I do however consider it my obligation to tell you a few words about our City, Aglantzia. Aglantzia is at the centre of Cyprus next to the Capital of Cyprus, Nicosia.
It is one of the large Municipalities of Cyprus with a population of 22 thousand people, 7500 of which are refugees. A very beautiful Municipality divided by the Athalassa Forest the size of which is 863 hectares. The various hypsometric differences of this area render it a very special character. Our City hosts all the Higher and Highest Educational Institutions including the University of Cyprus and the University Campus, which is still under construction, as well as other state services.

Dear delegates,
We are gathered here today in this European meeting to consider jointly a very serious problem, the problem of drugs. This is not a local or a national problem but a global problem. Cyprus and all the other countries face this problem and its upward trend.
I am sure that the speakers from Cyprus will talk to us about the problem and about the fight against it as well as the various programs that are implemented.
What I really want to underline is that the establishment, mission, and objectives of the only organisation in the European continent, the European Cities Against Drugs, with the motto “A Europe free of Drugs” must become the link of this fight. It is therefore necessary for this organisation to become stronger and stronger and to coordinate the fight against drugs.
For the attainment of the goal “A Europe Free of Drugs”, it is necessary to establish a Policy Centre for Drugs where the authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations will collaborate closely for the taking of various measures against drugs. Aiming to include all the European countries in this centre, this could be established jointly by the European Union and the Council of Europe. That is why we suggest that the 11th International Mayors’ Conference submit a memorandum to the above European Institutions for the establishment of this Policy Centre, after informing, of course, every country.

Mr. Minister,
Dear friends,
In conclusion, I would like to thank the Managing Committee for its decision to realise the 11th Mayors Conference of ECAD here in Cyprus and thank the President of the Cyprus Republic, and the Minister of Justice for declaring on behalf of the President the opening of the Conference. I would also like to thank the Mayors from Cyprus and abroad and all the delegates at the Conference as well as the Municipality’s Service headed by the Cultural Officer Mrs Maria Nikolaou.
I wish you a pleasant stay in our country and I am sure that the 11th Mayors’ Conference will be successful.

 
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