Immediate actions to get the Larnaca port and marina development project back on track were discussed by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeadis, with the Ad hoc committee for Larnaca city and district. This committee was formed after the collapse of the contract with the Kition consortium for the joint development of the port and marina.

In statements following the meeting at the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Vafeadis said that "very good suggestions" were heard, which will be recorded in a memo to be presented to the President of the Republic for decision-making.

"In my opinion, very good suggestions were heard, which we believe approach the issue of immediately bringing the project back on track, in quality implementation, and in a way that will benefit the city of Larnaca," Mr. Vafeadis stated.

He added, "We undertook to record all these suggestions in a memo, which we will present to the President of the Republic to make some decisions soon and make the corresponding announcements to the public, so that they know how we are proceeding, what the timeline is, what we propose to implement first, and what will be implemented subsequently."

"Our goal is to add an area in Larnaca, a development in Larnaca, which will not only benefit the residents and improve their quality of life but also help the economy of Larnaca, so that we can deliver a project to our children that will be beneficial in the long run," he said.

From his side, the Mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, described the meeting as very constructive, noting that they submitted their proposals based on the idea that the citizens of Larnaca and Cyprus must see tangible results from the port and marina project as soon as possible.

"We need to stop talking and promising and let the citizens see specific developments and projects that do not affect the future course of the overall development," he added.

"There are two things: what projects can start immediately, and how we proceed to make final decisions when we have specific economic and future prospects of the ports of Cyprus at our disposal," he stated.

When asked if the idea of dual development is still on the table, the Minister of Transport said that nothing has been predetermined and "all options are on the table."

"The essence is to find the right and flexible way that will ensure success," he added.

Mr. Vyras explained that since both the port and marina are operational, projects must start immediately with the current mode of operation until we decide and see in practice the best way to proceed.

Asked whether the projects concern improvements to the marina and port of Larnaca or the surrounding area, Mr. Vyras said, "the projects are within this philosophy."

Mr. Vafeadis said this is part of the discussion. He acknowledged that both the port and the marina "have not received the necessary maintenance for many years while awaiting the project."

"There are some things that need to be done, and part of the discussion is whether they should be done, what should be done, and how much they will cost. You understand that this is something we are discussing," he added.

In a new intervention, the Mayor of Larnaca added that these projects "will not be patchwork."

"The projects we are discussing are significant projects that will make a difference in the port and marina of Larnaca, and citizens will come much closer to the port and marina of Larnaca not in the distant future, but soon, with a noticeable difference and impact of these projects," he said.

Finally, responding to a question on whether this will help the broader goal of promoting the project, Mr. Vyras said that if significant projects are carried out, it will send the message that a serious investment has begun, demonstrating the will for further utilization of this area.

"And beyond that," added the Minister of Transport, "you understand that when we upgrade the area, the project will also be more attractive."