MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT FOR LARNACA MARINA - ''WE HAVE REACHED A SPECIFIC SOLUTION, WHICH ENSURES THE LEGALITY OF THE PROCESS'' - WHAT IT REQUIRES - Filenews 24/10
The solution provides for an amendment of the relevant Regulation, so that it is possible to conclude a long-term lease agreement between the State and the Ports Authority, without the need for a public tender.
Ms. Tsolaki notes that the Government's political decision to grant the development of the marina to the Ports Authority remains unchanged, while she states that the President of the Republic and the President of the Ports Authority have already been informed about the solution agreed.
The minister's intervention comes after the public statements that followed the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport on October 22, with her underlining that the development of the port and marina of Larnaca remains a priority of the Government.
The announcement of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works follows:
Announcement by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Ms. Evi Tsolaki, regarding Larnaca Marina
On the occasion of public statements following the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport on 22 October 2026, I consider it necessary to make some clarifications in order to restore the true picture and avoid creating false impressions.
The political will of the Government for the concession of the development of the Larnaca marina to the Cyprus Ports Authority remains clear and unchanged. This is a specific political decision, which I also reaffirmed before Parliament's Committee on Transport.
During the same meeting, both I and the President of the Cyprus Ports Authority confirmed that the planned projects are progressing on the basis of the roadmap presented by the Authority at the end of June 2026. The only exception is the Yacht Club project, the implementation of which was suspended at the request of the Municipality of Larnaca, which, following its recommendation, had undertaken the maturation of the project.
Regarding the concession of the marina, the opinion of the Legal Service, which I received on 09/10/2026, demonstrated the existence of a specific legal impediment, which, under the current legislative framework, does not allow its direct transfer, lease or concession to the Cyprus Ports Authority.
From the very beginning, our approach was clear: to find the legally appropriate solution that will allow the implementation of the government decision as planned.
As early as October 13, 2026, during my meeting with the Mayor of Larnaca, the President and the General Manager of the Cyprus Ports Authority, I informed about the existence of the legal impediment, pointing out that I will come back with a specific solution after my scheduled meeting with the Legal Service to find alternative options to address the issue.
This meeting had already been set for Friday, October 23, 2026, i.e. the day after the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport.
Therefore, it was entirely reasonable for the representative of the Legal Service, during the meeting of the Committee, to limit herself to the content of the existing legal opinion, as the alternatives had not yet been discussed with the competent Ministry.
During yesterday's long meeting with the competent Officers of the Legal Service, all alternative legal options were thoroughly examined and we reached a specific solution, which ensures the legality of the process and limits the time required for the implementation of the decision to the greatest extent possible.
This solution requires the amendment of the relevant Regulation, so that it is possible to conclude a long-term lease agreement between the State and the Cyprus Ports Authority, without the need for a public tender.
The President of the Republic was informed about this development.
In addition, I informed by phone, on the afternoon of October 23, the President of the Cyprus Ports Authority, who expressed his agreement with the proposed solution.
In light of these facts, it is reasonable to wonder what purpose public statements that ignore the actions that have already been taken and present a different image from reality really serve. I wonder whether such positions contribute to the resolution of pending issues and the progress of the project or whether they ultimately serve to create impressions and maintain an unnecessary public debate.
For us, as a Government, the priority is clear: the implementation of decisions, the progress of projects and the achievement of tangible results for the benefit of citizens. Making an impression is not part of our approach.
The Government is proceeding with a firm orientation, specific planning and full respect for institutional and legal procedures.
The development of the port and marina of Larnaca is an important priority for the Government and a substantial prospect for the economy, entrepreneurship and development dynamics of the city.
