Brussels: The European Commission has taken significant actions in its December infringement procedures to ensure that EU Member States comply with the Union's laws and regulations, with a focus on areas such as water quality, renewable energy, and aerodrome safety.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the European Commission has issued 18 letters of formal notice and 40 reasoned opinions as part of this infringement package. Moreover, eight cases have been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. In a positive outcome, 84 cases have been closed after Member States rectified their compliance issues.
One highlight from the package is the reasoned opinion sent to Cyprus regarding its non-compliance with the Water Framework Directive. Cyprus has been urged to implement periodic reviews of water permits to meet EU water quality standards. Despite acknowledging the need for legislative changes, Cyprus has yet to make the necessary amendments, prompting the Commission's action.
Furthermore, the Commission has also addressed failures in transposing renewable energy rules by multiple countries, including Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Malta, and Poland. These nations have not fully implemented the provisions of the amending Directive (EU) 2023/2413, which aims to increase renewable energy deployment across various sectors.
Additionally, Cyprus has received another reasoned opinion due to deficiencies in aerodrome safety and oversight at Larnaka and Pafos airports. The Commission has raised concerns about the qualifications of Cyprus' Department of Civil Aviation staff and the adherence to EU regulations in the airports' manuals, flagged during a 2020 inspection by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
In these cases, the concerned Member States have two months to respond and address the issues or face potential referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union, demonstrating the Commission's commitment to maintaining uniform compliance with EU laws across the Union.