The Mayor of Polis Chrysochous, Yiotis Papachristofis, targeted the environmental organizations during today's session of the Parliamentary Control Committee for Akamas. There was also a controversy between the Commissioner for Environment and Animal Welfare, Elias Myrianthous, and the Auditor General, Andreas Papakonstantinou, over the case of the outdoor event platform in Agios Georgios, Pegeia, a case that had been highlighted by Terra Cypria in August 2025, with complaints about the absence of required approvals and light pollution in a protected area.
The mayor of Polis Chrysochous, Yiotis Papachristofi, appeared particularly critical. The latter railed against environmental organizations, claiming that through their reactions to the projects in Akamas "they found a reason to exist".
The Mayor argued that the organizations are not interested in the consequences caused by the long-term delay of the projects to local communities and that they "constantly create issues". He said, at the same time, that the communities have been abandoned, as well as the aging of the population, pointing out that there are mainly elderly residents left in the area.
Myrianthous: The example with GSP and Dali
At the center of the controversy was also the case of the platform installed in August 2025 in Agios Georgios, Pegeia, for the organization of an outdoor event using sound and lighting equipment.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, Elias Myrianthous, questioned the substance of the reactions that had been expressed about the possible impact of the event on sea turtles.
He argued that those who reacted did not have a sufficient understanding of the geographical location of the platform in relation to the turtles' nesting beaches.
Using a typical example, he likened the reactions to the possibility of organizing a concert at the GSP and expressing concerns in Dali about the impact on livestock farmers in the area.
However, Mr. Myrianthous acknowledged that the businessman had to secure the required permits for the installation and operation of the platform.
His position provoked the reaction of the Auditor General, Andreas Papakonstantinou, who asked him whether he is an expert to make such assessments.
An intense dialogue ensued, with the Commissioner responding by posing a corresponding question to the Auditor General and stating: "As expert as you are with the reports".
Reactions to their targeting
Today's statements provoked reactions from representatives of environmental organizations. A representative of BirdLife Cyprus expressed surprise at the characterizations heard, describing them as inappropriate and unfounded. Similar reactions were expressed by representatives of other environmental organizations, who, taking the floor, tried to respond to the criticisms. The chairman of the Audit Committee, Zacharias Koulias, intervened, interrupting their positions and asking them to focus on the essential issues that were under consideration.
