The clash over tourism development on the Sotira and Liopetri coastline has now moved to the political level.
The parliamentary trade committee decided to summon the agriculture and interior ministers next Tuesday, demanding clear political decisions on an issue that has dragged on in the gears of the state machinery.
At the centre of the discussion was the rare whimbrel bird, which constitutes the main obstacle to issuing environmental permits.
Committee chair Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis spoke of a form of defeatism against the country’s interests, denouncing the state’s fear of responsibility.
The committee urgently asked the Environment Department to submit, within a week, a concrete roadmap with dates and decisions. “We have hotels that have become pigeon coops,” Hadjiyiannis said characteristically, stressing that the situation has reached zero.
For her part, Elena Stylianopoulou, deputy director of the Environment Department, representing the agriculture minister, assured that examination of assessments will be completed “very soon”, noting that the department is already examining updated data on cumulative impacts in the Special Protection Area (SPA).
On behalf of the interior minister, planning official Stefanos Georgiades said, “We are awaiting the assessment from the Environment Department”. He added that the ministry’s policy position supports development, and particularly tourism development in the area.
Local frustration
Regional representatives appeared disappointed and angry about the unequal treatment of the Famagusta district. Ayia Napa mayor Christos Zannettou stressed that discussion of the local plan has been ongoing since 2004. He denounced that 85% of the district is occupied and the remainder is trapped in environmental restrictions, whilst other districts are filled with towers without respect.
Sotira deputy mayor Antonis Koumis expressed complete disappointment, stating that state services are nullifying the community, blocking developments in Ayia Thekla for nine years.
Liopetri deputy mayor Markos Koumi spoke of paralysis in a district that contributes maximally to GDP, stressing that the National Technical University of Athens study is being sidelined.
Ayia Napa deputy mayor Antonis Christou highlighted the contradiction of a developed marina next to abandoned projects like Sun City, requesting developments exceeding three storeys.
Famagusta Chamber of Commerce director Elena Michaellidou characterised the delay as unacceptable, stressing that Famagusta is the only district remaining on the margins.
On behalf of ETEK, Alkis Dikaios described the situation as “extremely problematic”, highlighting the lack of infrastructure (pavements, cycle paths) and abandoned hotels.
Alternative approaches
DISY MP Averof Neofytou presented an alternative approach: instead of low buildings that create a “Great Wall of China” blocking birds, allow greater height with intermediate passage corridors, as was done in a similar case in Ayia Napa.
AKEL MP Kostas Kosta expressed reservations about whether rules apply equally to everyone, leaving barbs about selective sensitivity: “When it’s for the interests of the Archbishopric or the marina, the bird passes through… we got caught in the trap”.