Last Wednesday, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Cyprus (INFR(2019)2303) for failing to properly assess projects that may have a significant impact on Natura 2000 sites as required by the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC).
The Directive is one of Europe’s primary tools for protecting biodiversity. The Habitats Directive requires that plans and projects that are likely to have a significant impact on a Natura 2000 site undergo an assessment of their effects on the site before their authorisation.
Plans and projects can only be authorised, subject to certain exemptions, if they do not harm the integrity of the site.
The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Cyprus in November 2019. Since then, the Commission has continued to receive complaints by citizens concerning the authorisation of new projects and has further monitored the situation.
The Commission has found that the structural and persistent practice of authorising economic activities in Natura 2000 sites without complying with the Habitats Directive continues.
Therefore, the Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion to Cyprus, which now has two months to respond and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
In it’s letter of formal notice to Cyprus in 2019, the European Commission noted that “it considers that it [Cyprus] has generally and persistently, since the date of accession to the EU, failed to ensure that its authorities subject plans or projects to appropriate assessment of their implications on the Natura 2000 sites and/or that it has agreed to plans or projects without having ascertained that they will not adversely affect the integrity of the Natura 2000 site concerned.”
Natura 2000 sites
Cyprus has a total of 125 protected areas, comprising 59 sites designated under national laws and 66 sites recognized as Natura 2000 sites. These Natura 2000 sites are designated under the Birds Directive, encompassing 33 Special Protection Areas, and the Habitats Directive, encompassing 40 Sites of Community Importance. Many sites are designated under both Directives.
