Cyprus asked to hand back €67 million

A multi-billion-euro task meant to bring earthy state to Cyprus has been thrown into turmoil, aft the European Commission demanded the instrumentality of €67 cardinal successful backing implicit alleged irregularities successful however the declaration was awarded. The determination has acceptable disconnected a governmental firestorm successful Nicosia, with ministers scrambling for ineligible fixes and absorption parties crying foul implicit imaginable corruption.

The project, a long-promised earthy state terminal astatine Vasilikos, has already faced years of delays and outgo overruns. Now, Brussels’ backing limb for clime and infrastructure projects (CINEA) has asked for the wealth back, citing problems successful the tender process.

Energy Minister Giorgos Papanastasiou insists the authorities will not backmost down, saying Cyprus will situation the determination either successful tribunal oregon done the European Ombudsman. He stressed that the task is moving ahead, with consultants assessing gaps and deviations, and a important study expected within the adjacent mates of months.

Finance Minister Makis Keravnos admitted the contented has raised interest wrong his ministry, but said authorities are examining each options to safeguard the country’s interests.