Cyprus-Greece anticipated ferry link proposal almost ready for EU approval

A thorough proposal for the ferry link between Cyprus and Greece, that has to be approved by the European Commission is almost ready, deputy shipping minister Natasa Pilides said in Limassol on Monday.

“We are very focused on this issue, there are people in the deputy ministry working exclusively on this proposal that needs the green light by the European Commission,” Pilides said.

The proposal is complex as there are not only various state subsidy issues at stake, commercial and security issues also arise since passengers will be able to take their cars on board.

The proposal will be as thorough as possible so as to maximise the chances of a positive response to enable a call for tenders in the first quarter of 2020 and not miss the summer season.

Calls for the restoration of a ferry link between the two countries that ceased in 2000 have been long-standing.

Previous efforts have been made for this ferry link however financing could not be agreed upon as feasibility studies indicated that such a link would not be financially viable.

https://www.thegreekherald.com.au