Cyprus faces significant connectivity challenges, Vafeades tells competent EU Commissioner

The need to maintain the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as the main financing tool for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) projects has been stressed by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades.

This was during his meeting with the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, which took place on the sidelines of the Informal Council of Transport Ministers of the European Union, held on 17 March in Warsaw.

The Ministry of Transport says in a press release that Vafeades stated that the simplicity, effectiveness and high absorption of CEF funds make it necessary to continue it in the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

He also referred to the need for the European Commission to take into account in the next MFF the specificities of Member States without land borders and railway networks, focusing on the improvement of their road and port networks.

With regard to military mobility and investments in dual-use infrastructure, Vafeades pointed out the need to develop the ports and airports of the island Member States.

Furthermore, the Minister of Transport stressed that due to its geographical isolation, Cyprus faces significant connectivity challenges, high transport and energy costs, as well as restrictions in the tourism sector due to EU regulatory measures in air transport and called for a fairer approach to support it in the green transition.

Finally, Vafeades called on Tzitzikostas to visit Cyprus, particularly in view of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, during which, among other things, an Informal Council of Transport Ministers will be held.

The press release notes that Tzitzikostas expressed his full support for the concerns and issues raised, assuring that he will contribute to the maximum extent possible to the efforts to find solutions.

He also referred to the importance of constructive and cordial cooperation for the successful exercise of the Presidency.

(Source: CNA)