Larnaca, Cyprus. Transport minister Alexis Vafeades will brief Larnaca’s development committee on Friday on the findings of a study into the future of the city’s port and marina, authorities said on Tuesday.
Study conclusions and options
Vafeades is expected to present the study’s conclusions and outline available options for the stalled projects. Larnaca mayor Andreas Vyras said the discussion that will follow is “of decisive importance for the course of the development of the two projects”.
Proposal linked to former stakeholders
Vyras said the minister would also address a proposal linked to former project stakeholders aimed at reviving the development. “The minister will inform us about the proposal, will present the study and the options available, and will respond to our proposal to create a team to monitor the schedules,” he said.
Municipality’s stance
Vyras said the municipality would attend the meeting “with a willingness to cooperate, and the sole aim of serving the interests of the city and its citizens”.
Background to the meeting
The meeting follows a sharply worded letter sent by the municipality to the transport minister earlier this month after a previous session of the development committee on February 2.
In the letter, the committee expressed what it described as its “unanimous strong dissatisfaction” over delays in the study’s delivery and assessments by foreign experts, as well as the absence of clear timetables for the next steps.
The municipality demanded that within 15 days all parameters of the proposal to revive the project by shareholders of the former Kition consortium be examined and presented to the committee, alongside the ministry’s documented position.
It also called for “clear and specific timetables” for the completion of studies, public consultation and a roadmap “for how we will achieve the desired development of both the port and marina as soon as possible”.
What timelines and next steps do you want clarified for the Larnaca port and marina projects?