Cabinet has given the green light to the Deputy Shipping Ministry to conduct a study which will identify ways of financing the reinstatement of a ferry link between Cyprus and Greece that was discontinued in 2000.
In statements after Thursday’s cabinet meeting, Deputy Shipping Minister Natasa Pilides said the government has backed a study concerning the operation of a ferry link between Cyprus and Greece.
She said that the possibility of connecting the two EU countries with a passenger ferry link is considered to be beneficiary, both for people with a phobia of flying and for the further development of tourism in Cyprus.
“Therefore, a study will be undertaken to identify the best way to cover the funding gap likely to be created with such a link. It will be examined by the Council of Ministers and then a formal request will be submitted to the European Commission for the relative funding," Pilides said.
Asked when she expects an outcome on the issue, Pilides stressed that this will be a long process as the matter will have to be looked into by the European Union.
Resumption of the ferry service was put back on the agenda after DISY MPs Nicos Tornaritis and Annita Demetriou tabled the matter for discussion in parliament to exert pressure on the governments of Cyprus and Greece to revive the sea link.
Tornaritis and Demetriou argue that the link is of the 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.
They are confident that renewed efforts will not have the same fate as previous ones that drowned in the water.
In earlier comments to the Financial Mirror, Tornaritis argued 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 difference from the other times the matter was up for discussion is that for the first time it is to be examined through a European Union scope.
The EU 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 MP.
Experts argue that such a ferry service would run at a loss of around €5 mln annually – and this is the shortfall the EU would have to subsidise.
