Nicosia Municipality and Austrian federal agency AED sign energy and smart cities MoU

With the aim of strategic cooperation in the fields of energy and smart cities, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Nicosia Municipality and the Austrian federal agency AED.

According to a press release from the Nicosia Municipality, the agreement was signed by the Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos, and the Director of AED, Dieter Hampel on 14 April.

It is noted that after a meeting of officials of the Nicosia Municipality in Vienna last month with AED, which is the Austrian Federal Government's service provider for the implementation of international reform projects, for strategic cooperation in the fields of Energy and Smart Cities, it was agreed to cooperate on issues related to assistance and work on “lighthouse” projects under key themes such as digital transformation, renewable energy/energy communities, circular economy, telemedicine, mobility, waste management and others.

In addition, it was agreed to provide technical assistance through consultants for local and European level utilisation of projects of strategic importance for the Municipality, as well as financial support worth €50,000 from Austrian Government funds for a feasibility study, in the framework of a priority project to be agreed upon under the relevant themes.

It is noted that Prountzos, stressed that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is a particularly important step for the Nicosia Municipality.

Austrian Ambassador to Cyprus, Dr Susanne Bachfischer, said that there are many areas where synergies can be developed between the two capitals, with emphasis on the Smart City concept and the improvement of the urban environment.

Hampel welcomed the launch of the cooperation with the Cypriot capital, noting that it is a natural continuation of the already existing relationship with the Cypriot Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

(Source: CNA)