Cyprus Police are deploying what have been described as unprecedented security measures for the Informal Meeting of EU Heads of State, taking place on Thursday and Friday, April 23 and 24, at Ayia Napa Marina and the Nicosia Conference Centre respectively.
Several EU leaders and four regional leaders are expected to attend. Hotels in Nicosia and Limassol have been requisitioned to accommodate delegations, and police have drawn up a comprehensive plan covering the safe arrival, accommodation and transfer of leaders between hotels and venues.
Anti-terrorism units, aerial surveillance and crisis centre
Members of the Special Anti-Terrorism Unit (MMAD) will be deployed from tomorrow afternoon at the hotels where European leaders will be staying, monitoring all movement. During transfers, leaders will be accompanied by a heavy armed escort comprising MMAD members, Traffic Police and other services.
Thorough searches will be carried out at all accommodation and meeting venues, with all entrants and staff subject to checks. The Police helicopter will conduct aerial surveillance wherever needed, and the National Guard will also take aerial protection measures for the visiting leaders.
A Crisis Management Centre will operate at Police Headquarters to handle all reported incidents immediately. The Cyprus Intelligence Service (CIS) and the Crime Prevention Unit will play a special role in preventing any untoward actions.
Road closures and traffic restrictions
On Thursday evening, part of Ayia Thekla Avenue and adjacent roads around Ayia Napa Marina will be closed from 4pm to 11pm for the leaders’ meeting at the marina.
On Friday, Aglantzias Avenue in Nicosia — from the Aluminium Tower traffic lights to the Academy roundabout — will be closed from 7.30am to 6pm for the Conference Centre meeting. Roads from the two hotels housing foreign delegations will be continuously monitored, with traffic halted whenever delegations are in transit.
Restrictions will also apply on the Larnaca-Limassol, Larnaca-Nicosia, Limassol-Ayia Napa and Limassol-Nicosia motorways throughout both days.
The Presidential Palace is also expected to host meetings, with corresponding security measures to be put in place when leaders travel there.