Cyprus faces legal action from the European Union over Natura 2000 failures

The Republic of Cyprus has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union due to its failure to establish mandatory conservation targets for Natura 2000 protected areas. Despite repeated warnings from the European Commission, the Law Office of the Republic, and the Audit Office starting as early as 2013, the state failed to implement the necessary environmental protections in a timely manner.

Formal infringement procedures were initiated by the European Commission in 2016, with significant shortcomings being highlighted again in 2021. Between 2021 and 2024, the Cypriot authorities issued only ten decrees, half of which were deemed inadequate by European regulators. The state’s inability to comply with its legal obligations despite ongoing internal and external warnings has now culminated in a referral to the EU Court of Justice, leaving taxpayers to potentially foot the bill for associated legal and financial penalties resulting from this systemic negligence.