The Pan-Cyprian Association of Fuel Station Owners is calling for the personal intervention of the President of the Republic to resolve the issue that has arisen from the implementation of the decree on fuel tankers, as requested by the Pan-Cyprian Association of Liquid Fuel Station Owners, which held a protest rally outside the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

A delegation from the Association submitted a memorandum on the matter to Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou, who stated that the government would examine the Association’s requests in a spirit of understanding and would respond as soon as possible. The Association warned that if no solution is found, it will proceed with new protests.

Approximately 50 tanker trucks participated in the protest march. The march began at the GSP parking lot and ended outside the Presidential Palace.

In its memorandum, the Association states that a problem has arisen “due to the de facto decision by the Minister of Transportation to paralyze and immobilize the tanker trucks,” noting that it is necessary to establish a transitional adjustment period.

Specifically, the Association requests the issuance of an amending decree with a reasonable transition period, the suspension of the enforcement of the measures until the end of the transition period, the establishment of a technical working group involving all relevant stakeholders, and the setting of a realistic implementation timeline.

It should be added that the risk to the viability of gas stations and to the uninterrupted delivery and supply of petroleum to consumers is, according to the Association, factors that must be taken very seriously into account and safeguarded by the state and the government.

“We will submit the memorandum to the President of the Republic. What I can tell you is that the President of the Republic will review it. If there is a way to find a solution that helps you address the problem and, at the same time, ensure security—which is very important to us—then I think we’ll be very close to reaching a mutually beneficial outcome,” said Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou, addressing the protesters outside the Presidential Palace.

“Whatever can be done, we will consider it with a spirit of understanding. You will receive our response as soon as possible,” Mr. Antoniou stated.

“A memorandum was submitted today to the President of the Republic of Cyprus regarding last year’s ministerial decree, dated 08/08/2025, which refers to the transport of dangerous goods by our tanker trucks,” stated the President of the Pancyprian Association of Liquid Fuel Station Owners, Savvas Prokopiou.

“This is an issue that should have been resolved according to a specific timeline. We do not shirk any responsibility for safety,” he said

He noted that “the Minister’s decree must be amended to provide us with a timeline for conducting certain inspections” in order to determine “which tanker trucks are permitted to operate”.

As he said, “the majority of tanker trucks, with a few minor modifications, will be able to operate in accordance with European directives.”

Referring to the tanker trucks that need to be replaced, he noted that “the government itself must contribute through subsidies to make this replacement possible.”

At the same time, he emphasized that “we have no reservations about implementing the decree, but a timeline is needed.”

Regarding the meeting with the Deputy Government Spokesperson, he said that “I believe Mr. Yiannis Antoniou has fully grasped the problem; he understands that it will take time to implement the decree. As he told us, he will get back to us very soon.”

When asked when he expects a response from the government, he estimated that “it won’t be more than a week.”

At the same time, he warned that “if necessary, we will proceed with further protests, which is something we hope to avoid.”

“We want a solution, which is very easy to achieve if the President of the Republic of Cyprus so desires. Mr. Vafeadis should also be exempted from the decree through a minor amendment,” he added. 

Responding to a question about whether the ADR legislation has been in effect since 2008, Savvas Prokopiou stated that “the legislation exists” and that “meetings are held at regular intervals with the Ministry of Transport.”

As he said, “as of 2011, it had been decided that any tanker truck newly registered with the Department of Road Transport would have to meet ADR specifications,” adding that this “never happened.”

“So, we see that others also bear some responsibility, because if it had been implemented gradually back then, this regulation would have been phased in little by little,” he continued.

He added that “there were also exemptions under the European directive and legislation,” noting that “today, in Greece, these exemptions and derogations remain in effect until June 30, 2027.”

According to Mr. Prokopiou, “the Greek government, as well as the governments of the European Union member states, to extend the derogations and exemptions until the tanker trucks that do not meet the required specifications are replaced.”

“Why should we be the exception?” he asked in conclusion.

SOURCE: KYPE