5
cover the remaining 20%. It is a collaboration
between the Department of Geological Survey
and the Department of Forestry of the Ministry of
Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources,
and the Troodos Development Company.
The European Commission approved the
“Greece-Cyprus 2007-2013” programme on 28
March 2008 (Decision C (2008) 1131/28-03-
2008). The eligible project areas are the regions of
Crete (Heraklion, Lasithi, Rethymno and Chania),
the regions of the North Aegean (prefecture of
Lesbos, Samos, and Chios) and the Southern
Aegean (Dodecanese prefecture) in Greece, as
well as the entire island of Cyprus. The overall
objective of the “Greece - Cyprus” Programme
is the “promotion of the area as a focus point for
sustainable development in the wider area of the
South-eastern Mediterranean, aimed towards
enhancing competitiveness”.
The project involved the collaboration between
two highlands of Crete and Cyprus, Mount of
Zakros and Troodos mountains, with the aim of
promoting and protecting their unique geological
structures and using them in a sustainable
manner, adhering to the principles of sustainable
development.
The natural wealth of these two regions is
incredible, consisting of unique geological
phenomena that constitute monuments of
geological heritage. In this sense, and as evidenced
by preliminary studies, the two areas meet the
requirements to apply for joining the “Geoparks
Network” of UNESCO. They are both regions
with distinct geological heritage.
The aim of the project is to promote “alternative
development” in a bid to combat trends of inland
abandonment, which in turn leads to the depletion
of environmental, cultural and human resources.
