Communication and Works Minister, Nicos Nicolaides stated on Monday that the administrative committee for the Paphos – Polis Chrysohous project informed the successful (until now) bidder, Kinyras joint venture, that there are no margins to continue and the negotiations with the second successful bidder, Strap joint venture, started on Friday.

“It was decided that the first joint venture had increased demands and, therefore, the committee proceeded with negotiations with the second bidder, so that the project is finalized either way”, he said.

According to the CNA, on the question whether the construction of the road will commence in 2010, Mr. Nicolaides said that the government’s decision to finalize this significant project for Cyprus is taken for granted.

“If negotiations conclude with the second bidder, nobody can exclude – and we hope - that the procedures will start in 2010”, he noted.

“If not, we always have the choice to construct the road with the traditional method of financing from the state funds”, the Minister concluded.