AG gives green light to airport deal despite EU probe

THE government has received the green light from the Attorney-general and foreign legal firms to sign a deal with an investor for the upgrade of the island’s two airports, Communications Minister Harris Thrasou said yesterday.

And this, irrespective of the European Commission’s inquiries into the deal, the minister said.

Negotiations for the BOT (build, operate, transfer) agreement between the government and the Hermes Consortium, which were expected to be completed soon, have come to the attention of the Commission after one of the consortiums taking part in the tenders blew the whistle.

The group charged that the bid assessment was rife with irregularities and that the criteria were tailor-made for Hermes.

The opposition has accused the government of making too many concessions to Hermes.

But yesterday the government seemed poised to sign the deal as early as Tuesday, despite the EU probe.

“What I have said is that we take the EU observations into serious consideration and will reply in detail to each and every one.

“At the same time though, we will make our own plans because Cyprus needs the airports.”

Thrasou said the government would take into consideration all the facts and take the necessary decisions, having in mind the legal advice they had from the Attorney-general’s office and foreign legal experts who gave them the green light to sign the agreement.

Thrasou said an envoy would be flying to Brussels on Monday to convey the ministry’s reply on the matter.

He added that he could be travelling to Brussels himself if it became necessary.
“And this is for some people to realise how much importance we give the matter and that we have not displayed arrogance towards parliament or the EU or the Cypriot people.
“Everything will be done the way they should, at the right time, even if some people are in a hurry,” Thrasou said.

Parliament and the public would be informed with full transparency, the minister added.
“We have nothing to hide.”

Questions were also raised after it emerged that President Tassos Papadopoulos’ law firm represented Hermes.

Presidential Spokesman Marios Karoyian, however, said it did not necessarily mean anything sinister.

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