Speaking on the program “Alpha News.”
When asked about the payment of €25 million by the Republic of Cyprus, following Nexans’ request for the issuance of a NAVTEX, the Minister of Finance referred to the clarifications provided by the Minister of Energy. “I believe the Minister of Energy clarified today that the amount pertains to the time when construction work will begin. Therefore, I do not think there is any reason to backtrack,” he said, adding that there are relevant provisions in the state budgets.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Regarding the update of the feasibility studies, he recalled that the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (RAEK) had requested clarification on the total cost and the details of the project. As he explained, the Ministry of Finance will evaluate the data in accordance with the established fiscal responsibility procedure once specific figures are available.
At the same time, he left open the possibility of additional European funding, revealing that discussions on the matter have already taken place. “When the issue arises, I think it would be useful and necessary to raise it, and I know that the President of the Republic has already discussed with the Commissioner for Energy the need for additional funding for this project,” he noted.
Finally, when asked to comment on reports of differing approaches within the government and delays from the Ministry of Finance, he replied that, if it were indeed preventing the President of the Republic from governing, it would have already been dismissed.
READ ALSO: Keravnos sets the record straight: “Neither ‘there’s money,’ nor ‘Tsovola, give it all,’ nor ‘we ate it all together’”
