Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002402/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Costas Mavrides (S&D)
The Pentadaktylos mountain range in the occupied part of Cyprus has suffered incalculable damage and irreparable alteration of the natural landscape due to uncontrolled and illegal quarrying, in gross violation of all principles of environmental management and protection. Rare local species of flora and fauna are at risk of total extinction. What is more, many products produced in the Occupied Territories, as well as illegally extracted aggregates, are not subject to environmental or other certifications and checks (relating to health, safety or working conditions), creating unequal and unfair competition, as similar undertakings in the free areas operate under strict control and face higher production costs in order to comply with legislation.
In view of this, can the Commission say:
- 1.Is Republic of Cyprus able to prohibit the entry of such products into free areas in order to protect legitimate businesses and ensure that environmental and other laws are upheld?
- 2.Will it revise the Green Line Regulation to explicitly prohibit the transport of aggregates from the Occupied Territories, taking into account the serious impact thereof on the environment and on healthy competition in the market, and adapt the regulation’s provisions to safeguard the rights of natural and legal persons, including property rights, as in the EU’s other regulation on financial assistance to the Turkish Cypriot community in the Occupied Territories?
Submitted: 14.6.2025