Demonstrating a strong involvement in road safety problems at both governmental and civil society level, more then 150 Cypriot representatives gathered at the first 2009 European Road Safety Charter signing event in Nicosia on 13 February 2009.

 

The successful event brought together a number of high-level representatives. The Public Relations and Events Officer of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, Mr Andreas Hadjoudes, offered a warm welcome to all of the participants, introducing the speakers and the signatories.
The 19 new and 2 renewed signatories have been incorporated into the European Road Safety Charter community and are now ready to act on their commitments.

 

Underlining the remarkable progress made during recent years, the Cypriot Minister of Communications and Works, Mr Nicos Nicolaides, congratulated both “old and new members of the Cypriot European Road Safety Charter family”, stating his belief that “tens of Cypriot and other bodies will sign the charter in the coming months and this great and strong social road safety alliance will soon bring Cyprus up to the level of the leading European countries”.

 

The Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order, Mr Loucas Louca, highlighted the progress made, saying that “the number of fatal road accidents and victims has decreased in comparison with 2007 and previous years”; however, he also acknowledged the importance of the higher European goal to halve road accidents by 2010.

 

Recognising the efforts made and the high level of involvement in improving road safety, the Director for Inland Transport at the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, European Commission, Mr Enrico Grillo Pasquarelli, said: “This event definitely puts Cyprus on the map in terms of the European Road Safety policy, and its associations and other signatories can now join the European community of charter signatories where they can benefit from the network effect of belonging to this unique constituency of committed citizens and organisations”.

 

The 19 new signatories are: BP Eastern Mediterranean Ltd, C.A. Papaellinas and Co Ltd, Cyprus Association for Health and Safety, Cyprus Automobile Association, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, Cyprus Motorcycle Federation, Cyprus Ports Authority, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Europcar Cyprus - ASG (Andy Spyrou Group) Public Ltd, Hellenic Bank Public Co Ltd, Hellenic Petroleum Cyprus Ltd, Latsia Municipality, McDonald’s Cyprus (Family Restaurants Andreou Co. Ltd), Municipality of Strovolos, Nicosia Municipality, PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited, Travel and Express (Pagkypria Eteria Yperastikon Taxi Ltd), and the University of Nicosia.

 

The 2 renewed signatories are Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA) and Laiki Insurance.