Cyprus: Unified water management becoming a reality

The Agriculture Ministry in Cyprus submitted in last June a bill it hopes will offer a permanent solution to Cyprus’ water problems, with the formation of a unified water management policy.

Describing the move as “historic for this sector”, Agriculture Minister Demetris Eliades said it had taken “40 years of discussions and 20 years of legislative efforts to reach this point”.

“Finally it seems the state is offering a satisfactory and permanent solution to a problem that has been deemed the second worst after national issue,” said Eliades.

He explained that according to the bill, all services will fall under the Water Development Department. Currently, there are a large number of services involved in the sector, leading to coordination problems.

“This will ensure we save water resources and this is in the best interests of public and farming sector,” said the minister.

Eliades said his meeting with the House Agriculture Committee in June had proved constructive and positive. “We are turning a new page, which can be described as a historic development for our country’s water issue.”

Once the law is passed and all preparations are complete, the new policy will be implemented immediately, the minister concluded.