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Cyprus Explores Legal Recourse Following EU Demand for LNG Grant Refund

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 25, 2025

The Cypriot government is now assessing its strategic options after the European Commission issued a repayment demand. Energy Minister George Papanastasiou announced on Thursday that Cyprus must return €67.2 million from a total of €73 million allocated in grants for the Vasiliko liquefied natural gas terminal project. The minister clarified that funds amounting to €5.8 million, spent on activities predating the grant awards, remain unaffected by the demand.

EU Fund Repayment Demand

The repayment notice, issued by the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (Cinea), follows earlier communications from the Commission. Initially, back in July of the previous year, the Commission had demanded repayment of the bulk of the funds, a figure that has been slightly reduced in the most recent correspondence. The stated demand cites possible irregularities during the evaluation phase of the tender process for the project, implicating several international consortium members including companies from the China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co and Metron Energy Applications SA.

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Government Response and Legal Consultation

Following the latest letter from Cinea, the Cypriot government responded with a detailed submission that was ultimately dismissed, leading to the reiterated demand. Minister Papanastasiou emphasized that legal experts are now reviewing the issue, with consultations involving specialized English legal advisors expected shortly. The government is considering a range of appeals, which might include approaches to the European Ombudsman or bringing the matter before the Court of Justice of the European Union. Notably, despite any pending legal actions, the government is obligated to deposit the €67.2 million by November 6 and later seek reimbursement if their appeals succeed.

Project Challenges and Technical Concerns

The broader context of this development includes significant operational and technical issues at the Vasiliko LNG terminal project. Originally launched in 2019, the project has faced delays and technical complexities, notably with aspects of the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Prometheas, currently undergoing certification in Malaysia. Questions over design and material standards have also surfaced, stalling progress at the project’s pier and contributing to prolonged delays.

Outlook and Future Implications

Despite the controversies, Minister Papanastasiou remains confident in the viability of the Vasiliko project, suggesting that once key assets such as the FSRU are operational, the remaining infrastructure can be completed to facilitate gasification and conventional power generation. The situation also underscores the broader challenges faced by governments managing EU-funded projects, particularly as rigorous compliance and oversight demand meticulous transparency and legal precision.

As Cyprus navigates these complex administrative and legal waters, the unfolding developments will have significant implications not only for national energy strategy but also for future engagements with EU funding mechanisms.

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Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

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The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.