Green transition is a huge opportunity for Cyprus despite challenges, Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Natasa Pilides said on Friday. 

She was addressing a conference in Nicosia on the steps and measures that need to be taken in order to achieve the green transition of Cyprus. 

The Energy Minister pointed out the difficulties arising from the effort to fulfil the goals for "Fit for 55", but expressed the belief that Cyprus can fulfil its obligations by applying the right policies. "The funds are there, it's up to us to implement the upgrades in the timeframe set out in the 'Cyprus - Tomorrow' plan," she stressed. 

Pilides outlined the actions and reforms her Ministry has gone ahead with, pointing out that green transition is a huge opportunity for Cyprus, despite challenges and particularities which stand in the way. In order to achieve it, she stressed, we must cast aside personal and other interests.

On his part, Costas Kadis, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, whose address was delivered by Andreas Gregoriou the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, pointed out that this decade is the most important for the protection of the environment and requires decisive action in all sectors of the economy. 

On her part, Klelia Vasiliou, Commissioner for the Environment, said that the government of Nicos Anastasiades used all the tools that the state had at its disposal to implement the European Green Agreement and through specific projects it is correcting longstanding distortions.

"We consider it extremely important to inform businesses about everything they have to adjust," she stressed, adding that teamwork is needed to achieve the goals.

Charalampos Theopemptou, President of the Cyprus Green Party and President of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, said that the "Fit for 55" policy will force our country to comply with it and there are many things we need to do in order to be right to our obligations. For example, he noted, fuel taxation will soon change, and taxation will be imposed on the transportation of goods by ships, resulting in an increase in the prices of several products that Cyprus imports.

DISY MEP, Loucas Fourlas, whose address was delivered by his MEP assisant, Marios Papaelia, emphasised that the European Green Agreement is our road map to achieve the sustainability of the member states' economy. "We will only achieve this when we turn environmental and climate challenges into opportunities in all sectors, if we achieve a just and inclusive transition for all," he noted.