Newsroom
Fuel station owners will stage a protest outside the Presidential Palace on Tuesday morning, calling on President Nikos Christodoulides to intervene over the implementation of a Transport Ministry decree affecting fuel tanker operations.
The demonstration, organised by the Cyprus Fuel Retailers Association, will begin at 10am. Participants will assemble at the GSP Stadium parking area before travelling in an organised convoy to the Presidential Palace via Iosif Hadjiosif Street and Athalassas Avenue.
At the centre of the dispute is a ministerial decree issued on August 8, 2025, requiring fuel tankers to comply with ADR regulations governing the transport of dangerous goods. According to the association, between 80 and 90 per cent of the country's fuel tankers would have to be taken out of service under the current requirements.
Association president Savvas Prokopiou said the industry accepts the need for stricter safety standards but argues that the decree cannot be implemented immediately because the necessary transition period and certification infrastructure are not in place.
He said discussions with the Department of Road Transport had previously resulted in an understanding that Cyprus would seek a five-year extension through the European Commission to allow operators time to comply. According to Prokopiou, that effort was later discontinued by the Transport Minister, despite European rules providing for a transition period following the introduction of new requirements.
The association says operators need additional time to complete inspections and carry out the modifications or replacements required to bring their vehicles into compliance. It also argues that Cyprus currently lacks an authorised body capable of certifying fuel tankers under the new rules, making immediate enforcement impractical.
Fuel station owners are asking the President to step in and help reach a solution, saying that enforcing the decree before the required systems are in place will create significant operational difficulties without improving safety.
Police have announced temporary traffic measures for the duration of the protest and will be deployed to manage traffic and maintain public order. Motorists are advised to follow police instructions and consider alternative routes to avoid delays.
Authorities also reminded organisers of their obligations under the Public Gatherings and Parades Law of 2025, which requires demonstrations to be conducted peacefully and in cooperation with police and local authorities. The legislation allows police to impose restrictions or disperse a gathering if it becomes violent, poses a risk to people or property, or fails to comply with lawful directions.
