Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas announced the start of the process to close the Tserkezoi Shooting Range, saying the countdown has already begun, though gave no exact timeline.
Speaking on CyBC’s “Proino Dromologio,” Palmas said the decision concerns the Tserkezoi Shooting Range specifically, while the situation at the Kalo Chorio Shooting Range remains different for now. He added that although residents’ main demand is the removal of the Kalo Chorio range, this cannot happen at the present stage.
Palmas also addressed the discovery of two shells at the Kalo Chorio Shooting Range during firefighting operations for the wildfire in Agia Anna. He said it is natural for residents to feel concerned, but said he felt some reactions have been excessive, since finding unexploded shells at shooting ranges is not unusual. He stressed, however, that the goal should be to eliminate such incidents entirely and to destroy unexploded shells after every exercise is completed.
He reiterated that entry into shooting ranges is prohibited, and said a decision has been taken to station a guard at the Kalo Chorio Shooting Range around the clock.
National Guard Deputy Chief issue goes to Cabinet
Palmas also addressed the leadership of the National Guard, announcing that the issue of the new Deputy Chief will go before the Cabinet on Saturday, August 29.
According to the minister, the Cabinet will decide either to keep the current Deputy Chief, Lieutenant General Neofytos Pachoulides, in post, or to choose one of the two Greek Cypriot Major Generals, Charis Georgiou and Andreas Charalambous.
