Cyprus is expected to meet the deadline for the closing of the EU chapter on Environment by the 27 July 2001. Environment inspectors from the twelve EU candidate countries visited Cyprus and took part in the Accession Countries - Implementation of Environmental Legislation program meeting in Nicosia.

The program included presentations on various environmental management issues, practises and law, including the Natura 2000 for the protection of the environment.

A huge amount of work has been done in order to achieve the harmonisation of Cyprus with the acquis communautaire in this area, and substantial progress has been achieved, not only with regards to legislation, but also with regard to institutional building. At the same time, the materialisation of a series of measures is being pursued and initiatives have already been undertaken on issues such as waste management, where the first experimental scheme was put in effect. During last year substantial progress has been achieved on controlling the quality of the sea water on the beaches of the island. Obtaining a blue flag that shows the protection of the beach has proved to be very successful, since the different local authorities compete among themselves to obtain most progress.