EU initiates legal action against Cyprus for conservation failures
The European Commission has referred Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union for not complying with the habitats directive (Directive 92/43/EEC). Cyprus has designated 37 sites as special conservation areas but has failed to establish necessary conservation measures for 28 of these sites and has inadequate conservation objectives for 5 sites. The Commission had previously sent Cyprus a warning letter in June 2021 and a reasoned opinion in April 2022. Despite some progress, the efforts by Cypriot authorities are deemed insufficient by the Commission. The habitats directive aims to protect biodiversity by establishing the Natura 2000 network, requiring member states to identify, propose, and manage sites of Community importance for species and habitat conservation. The Commission has also initiated infringement proceedings against 16 member states regarding the designation and management of special conservation areas.