AKEL on the protection of our island’s habitats
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 2nd November 2020, Nicosia
Once again, Cyprus is among the countries not fulfilling their obligations stemming from the acquis communautaire. The European Commission in its regular package of decisions on cases where violations have been noted, which was, is initiating infringement procedures against member states announced last week. Cyprus appears to be a long way off from fulfilling its goals and implementing the legislation on nature protection networks.
More specifically, the Commission calls on Cyprus to complete its network of protected areas, as Cyprus has not submitted an exhaustive list of proposed Sites of Community Importance. As a result, the Natura 2000 network does not adequately cover the various habitat types and species in need of protection. As a country we have two months to rectify the situation.
One really wonders what the Anastasiades-DISY government and the competent Ministry are doing about the above. The government must give answers about what it is doing to really preserve the environment and the biodiversity of our country and not just advertise actions which do not appear to achieve any goal with regards the protection of Cyprus’ environment.
These are not conclusions drawn by AKEL, but are warnings issued by the European Commission itself. AKEL urges the Anastasiades-DISY government to act immediately, not only to avoid the courts and all that would entail, but to proceed on the substance to the protection of our island’s habitats.
The Parliamentary Group of AKEL will proceed to raise the issue for discussion in the competent Committee of the House of Representatives so that we can be informed in full about the matter by the Ministry.
