FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF THE MONASTERY IN CAPE GRECO BY THE COUNCIL OF DEROGATIONS - STRONG DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN STATE DEPARTMENTS AND ETEK - Filenews 24/10 by Angelos Nikolaou
The process of legalizing the illegal construction of the Holy Monastery of Saints Ephraim and Catherine in the heart of the environmentally sensitive and protected Natura 2000 area in Cape Greco is in the final stage. While the case is in the hands of the Council for the Study of Derogations (SYMEPA), the bodies involved and the competent state departments are taking clear positions, with the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) demanding the faithful observance of the legislation and the demolition of illegal constructions.
The Department of Environment, which did not proceed with the evaluation of this application, since the project is already at an advanced stage of construction, recommends that the requested derogation be treated negatively. The recommendation of the Department of Urban Planning and Housing is also negative.
In a strict and categorical statement to "F", the president of ETEK, Konstantinos Konstantis, condemns the arbitrariness from the beginning and emphasizes that the tactic of ex post legalization undermines the credibility of the urban planning system. As he states, "the Minister of the Interior correctly started the procedures and issued decrees to demolish the illegal building. This decision must be supported and implemented. If the demolition and restoration of the environment does not proceed, the undermining of institutions will be irreparable."
"As the institutionalized scientific and technical advisor of the state, ETEK reacted strongly from the first moment, condemning the arbitrariness. Our position was and remains clear: It is inconceivable in a modern state of law to operate arbitrarily, to violate urban planning, to erect projects without the required permits and then to seek their subsequent legalization through derogations", says Mr. Konstantis.
ETEK recognizes the timeless spiritual and social role of the Church, noting that the position of the body is not directed against the Church, but concerns the protection of the environment and the universal implementation of legislation without exceptions. According to Mr. Konstantis, the tactic of retrospectively legalizing arbitrary interventions undermines the credibility of the urban planning system and violates the principle of equality.
"The competent departments and environmental legislation impose the protection of nature. When the competent departments, such as the Department of Environment and the Department of Urban Planning in this case, take a negative position due to the irreparable consequences, the state must safeguard its laws. We call on SYMEPA and, subsequently, the Council of Ministers to seriously reflect on the above and to take a negative position," he added.
The Council of Ministers and SYMEPA are called upon to take a negative position, while the decisions for demolition and restoration of the environment must be implemented normally.
Sotiris Ktoridis: "The process has not been finalized"
For his part, in a statement to "F", the president of SYMEPA, Sotiris Ktoridis, made clarifications regarding the procedural status of the application for a planning permit by derogation. The application, he noted, was examined by SYMEPA on October 16, 2026, however the process remains open and has not become final.
To send a fully reasoned proposal to the Council of Ministers, a new meeting is scheduled for October 30, 2026 to approve minutes and complete the procedural steps. According to Mr. Ktoridis, the Council operates institutionally and in an advisory capacity, while the final decision to approve or reject belongs exclusively to the Council of Ministers. He added that "all the positions and data of the case are being examined in the light of the provisions of the legislation, the principles of administrative law and the need to ensure an objective, transparent and adequately justified process".
The Department of Environment appears to be catapult, noting that the plot falls within an urban protection zone Da1 (Coast and Nature Protection Area), where absolute protection is required and no development is allowed.
The area belongs to the Natura 2000 Network (Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area "Cape Greco"), and the application proceeded without having followed the prescribed environmental assessment procedures.
The project is at an advanced stage of construction, causing irreparable effects on the integrity of the site due to nuisance, soil sealing and human activity.
Despite the issuance of a Notice of Enforcement and Conditions of Demolition, as well as the rejection of a hierarchical appeal and the judicial rejection of a stay of execution, the illegal constructions remain intact. Therefore, the Department of Environment refuses to evaluate the application and recommends its negative treatment.
According to the official report and position of the Department of Urban Planning, the director of the Department of Urban Planning and Housing recommends the negative treatment of the requested derogation.
The proposed development clashes with a total of nine provisions of the current Local Plan of Paralimni, Ayia Napa and Deryneia, as well as with the main objectives and the general development strategy.
