The government has pledged a thorough investigation into the 2019 tender for the construction of a natural gas import terminal at Vasilikos, following an inquiry launched by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in March.
In a statement released today, Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou affirmed the government’s commitment to cooperating fully with the EPPO to ensure a comprehensive investigation and hold any responsible parties accountable.
Antoniou emphasised that President Christodoulides has mandated a complete and transparent inquiry, reiterating that “no one is above the law, and there will be no compromise on the principles of transparency and accountability.”
The government’s declaration comes amid heightened scrutiny of the tender process, with the EPPO’s investigation focusing on potential irregularities and non-compliance with EU regulations.
The Vasilikos LNG terminal, a major energy infrastructure project for Cyprus, has faced significant delays and cost overruns since its inception.
The project, which was initially awarded to the China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company (CPP) in 2019, has been beset by numerous problems, including disputes between CPP and its subcontractors, as well as claims of non-payment of invoices by the Cypriot government.
The project was intended to bring LNG to Cyprus, reducing the island’s reliance on fossil fuels and lowering energy costs for consumers. However, due to ongoing delays and disputes, the terminal is still not operational, and the cost of the project significantly exceeded the initial budget.
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