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European Commission Calls for Harmonisation of Credit Purchasers Directive

The European Commission has issued a call to Cyprus and 11 other EU member states to fully transpose the Directive on credit servicers and credit purchasers into national law. This directive aims to standardise operations for credit purchasers and servicers across the EU, ensuring borrower rights are protected. Cyprus, along with Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, and Finland, must address this compliance issue within two months or face potential referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Background and Significance

The Directive 2021/2167 is pivotal in facilitating a cohesive operational environment for credit purchasers and servicers throughout the EU. It mandates these entities to act with fairness and professionalism, ensuring that borrowers are not subjected to harassment or undue influence. The harmonisation of these rules is essential for maintaining a stable financial environment and safeguarding consumer rights.

Infringement Procedures and Compliance

The European Commission’s infringement procedures include sending letters of formal notice to member states that fail to comply with EU legislation. This recent notice to Cyprus and the other 11 states is part of a broader package addressing various compliance issues across the EU. Should the states fail to meet the requirements within the specified timeframe, the Commission may escalate the matter, potentially leading to judicial proceedings and fines.

Broader Implications

This call for harmonisation extends beyond credit purchasers. The Commission has also addressed non-compliance in areas such as the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive and waste collection and recycling targets, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving uniform regulatory standards across the EU. For Cyprus, aligning with these directives is crucial not only for legal compliance but also for maintaining investor confidence and fostering a stable economic environment.

€50 Million Luxury Resort Planned For Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa could strengthen its position in the premium tourism market with a proposed €50 million mixed-use resort combining a hotel, serviced apartments, luxury bungalows and a beach club.

Aesara Investments Ltd has submitted an information form to the Department of Environment for a development to operate under the name Atlantica Wavemaster Hospitality. The project is planned for the Limnara area of Ayia Napa, along the coast south of Kryou Nerou Avenue, between the town centre and Cape Greco.

Hotel, Apartments And Luxury Bungalows

The proposed resort will include a 324-room hotel with capacity for 648 guests, alongside a condo-hotel building containing 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Facilities are planned to include restaurants, bars, cafés, a spa with an indoor pool, a gym, shops, a multipurpose hall, a children’s club and a cinema.

A further 33 three-level luxury bungalows, each designed for two guests and featuring a private swimming pool, are planned for the southern part of the site. A beach club with a restaurant and an outdoor pool complex covering more than 6,300 square metres will also form part of the development.

The project includes 321 parking spaces, including 12 for people with disabilities, and 14,196 square metres of landscaped green space featuring local plant species.

Seasonal Hotel Operations And Year-Round Residences

The hotel is expected to operate from March to November, with peak occupancy during the summer season. The condo-hotel apartments, meanwhile, will be available for sale or long-term rental and intended for year-round residence. Owners and tenants will also have access to the resort’s facilities, including its pools, restaurants and fitness areas.

Construction is expected to take 24 months once the required permits are secured. At the busiest stage, the project could employ around 100 workers per day.

Environmental Restrictions Near Cape Greco

The site’s proximity to protected Natura 2000 areas has prompted strict environmental requirements. The Cape Greco Special Protection Area borders the site to the south, while a Special Area of Conservation lies approximately 50 metres away.

Conditions imposed by the Department of Environment include a maximum building height of five floors, or 18.5 metres, and restrictions on permanent structures near the coastline. The project must also use spider-web type glazing and low-intensity lighting to minimise disturbance to local birdlife.

According to the project’s consultants, the design has been prepared to comply with the environmental conditions and the final report on cumulative impacts for the Cape Greco Special Protection Area. The hotel and apartment building are positioned in the central and northern parts of the plot, away from the shoreline.

Within the designated no-build zone, located 40 metres from the boundary of the beach protection zone, only swimming pools are planned. The consultants state that these are not expected to affect protected species in the area.

Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo
Uol

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