Questions arise over €18.5M purchase for Foreign Ministry relocation

Members of the Finance Committee in the Parliament have raised questions about the proposed release of 18.5 million euros for the purchase of the former Laiki Bank building in Nicosia, intended as the temporary relocation site for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Despite assurances from the Ministry of Finance that the purchase would only proceed after obtaining a certificate of final approval and upgrading the building to B+ energy efficiency, MPs sought further clarification.

Committee Chairwoman Christiana Erotokritou criticized the delay in issuing the certificate for a 27-year-old building and raised concerns about energy efficiency objections.

AKEL MP Aristos Damianou questioned the relocation's impact studies and requested their submission, along with inquiries about the certificate of final approval.

Marinos Sizopoulos of the Hellenic Parliamentary Party criticized the state's annual spending on unsuitable buildings, exceeding 40 million euros, and called for a plan to develop modern government service facilities.

Haralambos Theopeptou from the Ecologists' Movement emphasized the legislation on energy efficiency, highlighting the building's glass structure and potential extra costs.

The discussion on this matter will continue.

[Information sourced from CNA]