The Cyprus Green Party Home Page

The CYPRUS GREEN PARTY was established in February 1996. Most of its founding members are also active in various environmental, ecological, cultural and consumer organizations as well as various pressure groups.

In May 1996, the CYPRUS GREEN PARTY participated in the National Parliamentary Elections where it received 1.0 % share of the votes (3660 votes) but failed to elect a representative. In Municipal Elections, which took place in December 1996, the Party, elected its first Member of Council in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus.

During the first year of its existence, the CYPRUS GREEN PARTY has campaigned for the following issues :

The biggest environmental crime against Cyprus, is the continuation after 23 years, of the Turkish occupation of 37% of the island and its resulting suppression of basic human rights of the people of Cyprus. We stand against the geographical division of Cyprus on the basis of ethnic origin or religion. We feel that this division to be racist and therefore unacceptable from a historic, political, social and therefore ecological point of view.

The protection of the Akamas Peninsula, a place of unique ecological value. The Akamas area is threatened mainly by the continuation of military exercises by the British Forces and the uncontrolled tourist development especially along the coastline. The prevention of the nuclear power plant on the south coast of Turkey, in an earthquake sensitive area exposing all east Mediterranean countries to the dangers of nuclear wastes and accidents.

Water shortage in Cyprus is a severe problem with drought years recently, being the rule rather than the exception. We stand for an integral and long term national policy of water resources management, the banning of water supply to the golf courses from dams, the re-use of treated effluent for irrigation, the application of water saving techniques and the construction of water dams only if the balance of nature downstream of the proposed dams can be secured.

Traffic congestion problems in cities. We stand for the encouragement of public transport, which is at present, virtually non-existent, the construction of side walks and cycling routes.

The encouragement of mass recycling (paper, glass, batteries) by local governments.

The reduction and ultimately the banning of hunting in Cyprus, through legal measures and ecological education.