Labels: Cyprus

The two MEPs conveyed to the Commissioners the concerns expressed to them by many of the NGO representatives, journalists and ordinary residents on the chaotic building developments taking place in the northern part of the island and without a clear legislation. While making it clear that they are not against the development of tourism in the Turkish Cypriot part, they are keen to highlight that lessons should be learnt from the mistakes made in the southern part and in many other Mediterranean islands and countries.

The two MEPs raised, in particular, the issue of the Karpass peninsula where there are concrete fears that the expansion of the electricity grid there is paving the way for huge foreign investments aimed at developing a mass tourist resort. It must be pointed out that the Commission included some areas of the Karpass peninsula in the Natura 2000 directive. Even though the Community aquis is suspended in this part of the island Frassoni and Özdemir asked the Commissioners to make every effort they can in order to stop the present trend. Furthermore, Frassoni and Özdemir urged, in particular, Olly Rehn to make the work of the EU support office for the Turkish Cypriot community more visible. The Commission has allocated funds of 259 million euro but most of the initial projects which have so far commenced are unknown to Turkish Cypriots. The local population does not have the means or the expertise to avail of these funds.

Labels: Cyprus, eu