Desalination units from UAE to come to Cyprus on time, government says

Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis has said that desalination units with a capacity of 15 thousand cubic meters per day will arrive in Cyprus in due course, following an agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), noting that a solution to the water issue has been achieved so that there is no risk of water supply cuts.

The Spokesman was replying to questions at the Presidential Palace on 24 April, after the Cabinet meeting.

Invited to give more clarifications regarding President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides' remarks on the water issue in an interview with ANT1 TV, the Spokesman said that what the President of the Republic said was that "following an intensive effort on our part and fully utilising the excellent relations we have built with the UAE,"as well as the enhanced diplomatic footprint of the Republic of Cyprus, "the issue of the risk of water cut-offs in the summer has been resolved, and units with a capacity of 15 thousand cubic meters per day will arrive in time, corresponding to the needs we have, so that the Republic of Cyprus is not at risk of water cuts."

"They will come to our country on time after the official confirmation was received yesterday from the UAE," the Spokesman said adding that at the same time the plans of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment for the permanent solution to the water problem in the country are progressing.

He recalled that 30% of the Ministry's budget has been dedicated to investments to address water issues, and that the Council of Ministers has made four decisions  in the last two years, two of them in 2024 concerning national action plans with a horizon of up to 2030, while a series of measures, plans and incentives have been announced. These are two parallel processes and initiatives, he said.

"What is important is that through these diplomatic contacts, through the activation of an outward-looking foreign policy, it is proven in practice that diplomacy is not theory, it is a matter of national policy, it is an issue that can serve national interests and this has a direct and practical impact on our everyday lives,"he pointed out. 

Asked how easy it is to connect 15 units to the water system in a timely manner, he said that “we have been in intensive contact and coordination (with the UAE) at a technocratic level for quite some time now, so that the President could make the announcement yesterday.”

Letymbiotis said that the necessary consultations have already been made, and in the coming period these will be intensified to ensure both connectivity to the network and the timely placement of these units. 

He added that an assessment was made of the needs  in order to decide the amount of water that will come from the UAE. 

“We will not be complacent, we will continue to have as much access to water as possible," he said, noting that "at the same time, we reiterate to our fellow citizens that there cannot be reckless use of water."

Recalling that the water issue has been a problem in Cyprus for decades, he said that the deteriorating climate conditions, especially in the region,  “is an issue that this government has identified in a timely manner and has announced measures."

He also said that if there had been no fire at the desalination unit in Paphos, the planning would have proceeded without any disruption.

However, Letymbiotis noted, the developments with the UAE allow us to continue without any disruptions with our plans. 

Concluding, he said that measures have already been taken for irrigation, noting that “the fact that our water needs are being met will have a positive impact on irrigation as well.”

(Source: CNA)