Cyprus has been left exposed for its inadequate protection of the environment

Statement by Christina Nicolaou, Head of Energy and Environment Policy of AKEL

14 March 2024, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The European Commission is initiating legal proceedings against the Republic of Cyprus for its failure to comply with its obligations arising in relation to the handling and protection of habitats included in the Natura 2000 network. At the same time, the Commission has sent a reasoned opinion to the Republic of Cyprus for failing to properly assess the impact that various projects in Natura 2000 sites may have. At the same time, the government of Nicos Christodoulides has decided to conduct a third administrative investigation into the infringements committed during the works on the Akamas road network.

Cyprus is once again exposed. Since 2019, AKEL has been calling on the previous government to take the necessary measures to improve environmental protection in our country. Five years onwards and while no steps have been taken in this direction, the Christodoulides government continues on exactly the same path, while concealing the evidence that emerged from the previous two administrative investigations conducted on Akamas.

Instead of commissioning investigations, the government should at least comply with European obligations, because the price will be twofold: on the one hand fines for the state and on the other irreparable damage to the environment.

14.03.2024