The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr.Yiannis Karousos, is going to Brussels today, where tomorrow he will have contacts with officials of the European Commission, with the main topic of discussion being the legislative package of the European Union "Fit for 55". Mr. Karousos will hold meetings with Mr. Frans Timmermans, First and Executive Vice President of the European Commission responsible for the European Green Deal, and Mr. Kurt Vandenberghe, member of the office of the President of the European Commission Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen with specialization in European Green Deal issues. In addition, the Minister will also give an interview to the Brussels-based publication "POLITICO" on the same subject.
During his meetings, the Minister of Transport will convey the concerns of Cyprus, as a regional and island state of the EU, regarding the legislative proposals concerning air transport. According to Cyprus' estimates, the total cost for aviation for the 27 EU member states by 2050 is estimated to be €1.4 trillion, while for Cyprus the concern is focused on the cumulative cost for the period from 2024-2050, estimated at €18 billion in a €24 billion economy. Furthermore, based on the assessment of the impact of the legislative package on Cyprus' economy, it is estimated that air ticket prices will increase by 40-50%, which will reduce tourism revenues by 15-20% and Gross Domestic Product by 1.75%.
During the discussions, Mr. Karousos will reiterate Cyprus' commitment to supporting the "Fit for 55" objectives in relation to the environment and the reduction of pollutant emissions and will explain to his interlocutors Cyprus' proposals, which seek to improve the legislative framework in order to take into account the specificities of island and peripheral EU Member States which, due to their geographical location, are highly dependent on air transport.
It is recalled that at the Council of Transport Ministers held in Luxembourg on 2 June 2022, the relevant Ministers reached a general approach on the first legislative proposal of the "Fit for 55" package, adopting initiatives and proposals put forward by Cyprus, such as the extension of the definition of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and synthetic fuels, the exemption for aircraft refuelling, a specific exemption for Cyprus in the alternative fuels infrastructure legislation and the extension of the transition period.
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