Cyprus panic as country faces fines from EU after 12-year delay

is facing fines from the over its failure to close two landfill sites that were found to be contaminating water and posing a danger to public heath. The EU found that the dumps at Kotsiatis and Vati broke its rules back in 2013, and despite assurances that the sites would be closed down and the land restored, both are still open.

The EU said in a statement: "In 2013, the court ruled that the landfill of Vati in Limassol and the landfill of Kotsiati in Nicosia did not comply with the landfill directive". Following this judgement, the European Commission sent a letter of formal notice under article 260 TFEU to Cyprus on April 28, 2017. Cyprus then decided to stop the operation of these two landfills, the statement added.

"Although no waste has been sent to these landfills for more than six years, they have still not been rehabilitated and closed as required by the landfill directive," the Commission continued.

"In addition, Cyprus has postponed timetable for the implementation of the judgement several times. The landfills therefore still present a danger for human health and the environment."

The statement ended by saying that the case would be sent "back to the Court of Justice of the European Union, requesting the imposition of financial sanctions."

Despite the tough talk from the Commission, director of the Cypriot Environment Department, Theodoros Mesimeris, believes the country can avoid the fines.

"For the first time, we have in place a holistic plan for handling all waste streams and for deterring illegal waste-disposal practices," Mesimeris said.

He revealed the plan would involve upgrading the management operations in Kotsiatis and for 71 other landfills sites in Nicosia during 2026. Meanwhile, the Vati site, and the 47 other sites in Limassol will see a complete revamp expected to be finished by 2029.