Parliamentary review of firing ranges in Kalo Chorio and Tseri

The Cypriot parliamentary Defence Committee is revisiting the operational status of the Kalo Chorio and Tseri firing ranges following recent safety concerns. The discussion was spurred by a fire in Kalo Chorio this past summer, ignited during National Guard training activities, which threatened nearby communities. In response, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas and the National Guard implemented stricter protocols, enhanced fire safety zones, and considered installing permanent surveillance systems. Despite local pressure to relocate the Kalo Chorio site, the Ministry maintains that it will remain active.

Regarding the Tseri firing range, the Ministry has confirmed its political intention to close the facility, though no specific timeline has been established. Minister Palmas cited ongoing challenges, including complex land ownership issues involving the Church of Kykkos, permitting delays, and the lack of a suitable alternative site. A requisition order for the Tseri range is set to expire on November 8, 2026, necessitating a new legal procedure. The government acknowledges that urban expansion has rendered some long-standing military sites increasingly problematic. The Ministry maintains that moving the range remains a priority, yet resolution depends on resolving outstanding property and planning disputes that have persisted since the first requisition in 1991.