-
.
- Ελληνικά
The Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (MoETI) announces that it has received a letter from the European Commission, recording possible irregularities that occurred during the evaluation period of the tender for the construction and operation of the LNG Storage and Regasification Terminal at Vasilikos. These issues relate to the evaluation criteria of the consortium of China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd., Metron Energy Applications S.A., Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Limited and Wilhelmsen Ship Management Limited.
The letter alleges two substantive violations. The first concerns the criteria for awarding the tender to the consortium in question (December 2019) and the second concerns the signing of the bilateral agreement when the additional €25 million was approved (June 2022).
As a result of the above, the European Commission claims repayment of €68,608,438.46, which is the European grant paid to date to ETYFA, as the party to the Contract. It is noted that the project named "Cyprus Gas 2 EU" is a Project of Common Interest and was financed with a European grant of €101 million.
The Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry will reply to the European Commission on the positions recorded in the letter within 30 days, as foreseen.
The priority of the Government remains the defence of the interests of the Republic of Cyprus and to this end it is assisting in every way with the ongoing investigation, in full cooperation with the European authorities and from the very first moment, in accordance with the strict instructions of the President of the Republic, in order to ensure a full investigation of the events and the demonstration of zero tolerance to possible illegal actions.
The Government's commitment is, at the same time, focused on the effort to complete the important energy project in Vasilikos as soon as possible.
(AF/AS)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
