Local residents have voiced a resounding “no” to the government’s plans to build a desalination plant in Mazotos.
“Get out, get out of Mazotos.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“We will defend our village until our last breath. Get out!”
Using tractors and a truck, they blocked the road for half an hour this morning, making it clear that they will not allow the destruction of the natural environment.
“No, no to desalination.”
The protesters called for the President’s intervention and declared they were ready to escalate their actions if necessary.
“We’ll see this through to the end; if necessary, we’ll take the case to a European court—we’ll take it there too. We have documented studies; we’ve sent them countless times, but they dismiss us.”
Lambriani Alexandrou – Member of the Mazotos Community Council / Initiative Group
“Enough is enough; we’ve reached our limit. We don’t want them in our village. For heaven’s sake, let the President of the Republic intervene—we can’t endure this ordeal any longer.”
Eleni Chaili – Spokesperson for the Initiative Group to Save the Mazotos Coast
Members of Parliament, representatives of political parties, institutions, and organizations were in attendance.
Response
The local community’s concerns have been heard, but the government must take the necessary decisions to ensure the country’s water security, the Ministry of Agriculture stated in a press release, noting that discussions regarding the implementation of compensatory measures will continue.
“Water security is a matter of the highest public interest and requires timely decisions. At the same time, the local community must derive concrete benefits. The goal is not confrontation, but a serious and productive dialogue on the implementation of measures for the benefit of Mazotos.”
Ministry of Agriculture
The Ministry notes that the project is being implemented in accordance with the State’s legal obligations and with respect for the region.
Watch the report by Rafaella Stavrinou:
