Two ruling party DISY MPs are campaigning to restore a passenger ferry link between Cyprus and Greece to carry passengers and cargo after an 18-year absence.
MPs Nikos Tornaritis and Annita Demetriou have tabled the issue to be discussed in parliament, in a move to exert pressure on the governments of Cyprus and Greece to revive the ferry route.
There has been no ferry link between the two countries since it was stopped at the beginning of the millennium when operator Salamis Tours phased it out due to cost.
Tornaritis and Demetriou argue that the link is of utmost importance as it would create new prospects for further development of trade relations between Cyprus and Greece, as well as promoting Cypriot trade and exports to the rest of Europe. It will also give an opportunity to many who, for various reasons, avoid flying and would rather travel by boat.
The MPs are supported by the Cyprus-Greece Business Association which echoes their arguments. President of the Association Iosif Iosif, talking to the Financial Mirror said the re-establishment of a ferry link will give people living on the island another travel option other than flying.
He said the Association is in favour of such a link because it would contribute to strengthening Cyprus’ trade sector, as the line would bolster commercial ties with Greece.
“We have been campaigning for this for many years now, but we have always been hit from officials with the argument that this is a costly project that will not be able to get off the ground,” said Iosif.
He argues that a cost study needs to be prepared and presented before the competent bodies of the two member states and the European Union.
Tornaritis said that the ferry connection with Greece is a necessity.
“It is unacceptable that Cyprus is the only member state of the European Union which relies solely on transport by air to connect with the rest of the Union,” Tornaritis told the Financial Mirror.
He said that after talking with fellow DISY MP Anita Demetriou, they felt that it was the right time to submit the matter for discussion in the parliament.
Online Petition
The issue has been on the public agenda for years, with an online petition in the summer attracting the support of thousands of Cypriots.
“Almost 12,000 people have signed the online petition demanding a ferry link between Greece and Cyprus,” said Tornaritis.
The online petition started by a group of people suffering from aerophobia (fear of flying) to date has gathered 11,782 signatures. The campaign is conducted through www.avaaz.org which is one of the most popular websites hosting public petitions.
Tornaritis said that their aim is to get parliament to pass a motion urging the governments of Greece and Cyprus to come to an agreement and ask Brussels to finance the connection.
“The difference from the other times the matter was brought for discussion is that for the first time it is to be examined through a European Union scope. The European Union is all about freedom of movement of people and goods. Cyprus as an island and Europe’s most eastern state is cut off from Europe,” said the DISY MP. He argues that the EU has an obligation to support with any means available the ferry connection between the two countries and by extension Cyprus’ connection to mainland Europe.
The politician said the EU is currently financing unprofitable ferry connections between mainland Greece and its remote islands.
“The EU is also financing the sea connection between Marseille and Corsica with EUR 50 mln per year.” He calculates the ferry connection between Greece and Cyprus will only cost EUR 5 mln above income per year.
“We believe that this is a project which can be easily supported by the Union and Cyprus has every right to demand their support,” said Tornaritis.
He believes there is another aspect that should be taken into consideration which has to do with the high number of people who cannot travel by plane.
According to studies, 25% of EU citizens have never been on a plane, while a significant number of Cypriots are confined to the island, either because they have a fear of planes or for other medical reasons.
“Where there is the will, there is the way,” Tornaritis said.
He added that the ferry link between Greece and Cyprus could even become part of a cruise in the Mediterranean bringing more revenue as tourists will be able to hop from the Greek islands to Cyprus.
“The project is feasible, and we are more than sure that if the project gets the green light from the European Union, then there will be keen interest from local and foreign investors to get involved.”
