CYPRUS IS ONE STEP AWAY FROM THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE

 Filenews 2 November 2020 - by Angelos Nikolaou

One step before it is referred to the Court of Justice of the EU is Cyprus, because it does not adequately protect biodiversity. Although Cyprus has designated specific conservation areas for the protection of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna included in the Natura 2000 network, the Commission considers that the designation of protected areas is inadequate and is not satisfied with the measures taken for the protection areas already defined.  

The Commission, in a reasoned opinion sent to the Authorities of the Republic last Friday, calls on Cyprus to complete the network of protected areas.

In particular, the Commission calls on Cyprus to fully implement Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats, as well as of wild fauna and flora and Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds. In accordance with the Community Directives, each Member State shall contribute to the establishment of the Natura 2000 network by establishing an adequate number of Special Protection Zones (SPAs) and Sites of Community Importance (CSFs), adequately covering all types of natural habitats and all priority species of wild flora and fauna found in the territory of the Member States.

Both the European Green Agreement and the European Biodiversity Strategy indicate that it is vital for the EU to halt biodiversity loss by improving and restoring damaged ecosystems in good ecological condition. The Commission notes that 'Cyprus has not submitted an exhaustive list of proposed CSOs and has not provided all the necessary information for each site'. Therefore, it notes, the Natura 2000 network does not adequately cover the different types of natural habitats and species of wild flora and fauna in need of protection.

After sending the reasoned opinion, Cyprus has two months to remedy the situation. Otherwise, the Commission warns that it may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The Natura 2000 Network is a wide and coherent network of protection areas for natural habitat types and species of wild flora and fauna found in EU Member States. It is the cornerstone of THE EU's biodiversity protection policy and aims to safeguard, conserve and manage vulnerable habitats and endangered species throughout their natural area of spread in Europe.