A constructive dialogue was established with the Deputy Mayor of the city, Iasonas Iasonides, and the Director of the Larnaca Tourism Board, Nana Asmeni Pavlou.
Larnaca is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history spanning 4,000 years. It is the birthplace of the Stoic philosophers and a city where 52 percent of the current population are Cypriots from Famagusta who found a new home here after the occupation of 1974. Today, Larnaca is also a popular tourist destination and the winner of the title "European Capital of Culture 2030".
The Deputy Mayor, Iasonas Iasonides, spoke about the administrative structure of the city, emphasized the multicultural character of the region, and outlined the city hall’s plans to modernize local infrastructure. Regarding the "Larnaca 2030" project, the Vice Mayor noted that the focus is not only on new hotels and roads, but also on improving quality of life and expanding opportunities for education and culture.
Mr. Iasonides also stated that Cypriots respect Ukrainians, noting that Ukrainians possess an exceptionally strong character, and expressed his belief that Ukraine will continue to realize its full potential in the future.
The Director of the Larnaca Tourism Board, Nana Asmeni Pavlou, echoed the Deputy Mayor’s sentiments. During the meeting, she discussed not only tourism in Larnaca but also the prospects for the development of tourism in Ukraine.
An official delegation of Ukrainian students studying international relations and residing in Cyprus at the invitation of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Cyprus attended both meetings.
The young participants expressed interest in how tourism influences the region’s economy, the city’s development, and diplomacy, as well as how Larnaca’s multicultural characteristics shape its identity.