Community leaders from the Krasochoria cluster in Limassol have expressed support for the Trozena development project by an Israeli investor, stating that it should proceed under the legal framework and Natura 2000 environmental regulations.
A press conference was held on Tuesday morning in the community of Arsos, attended by local leaders, members of the investor’s family, and individuals who sold property in Trozena.
The meeting came amid reports of alleged illegal interventions and public reactions surrounding the project.
Abandoned settlement and development push
Arsos community leader Yiannakis Yiannaki said Trozena represents a key example of long-standing state neglect, noting that the settlement was abandoned in the 1980s due to a lack of infrastructure, including electricity.
He added that local councils support any development that brings economic activity and helps remote communities overcome isolation.
According to Yiannaki, the project could revitalise the area and contribute significantly to regional development.
Claims over environmental and legal concerns
Yiannaki attributed criticism of the project to pre-election motives, arguing that online reactions have caused harm to the region’s reputation.
He also said that recent media attention led to claims in Turkish and Turkish Cypriot outlets that a Turkish Cypriot settlement had been sold to create a “Jewish ghetto”, stressing that Trozena was historically a Greek Cypriot settlement.
He criticised the Department of Environment and environmental groups for supporting Natura 2000 designation without prior consultation with landowners, whose descendants, he claimed, were effectively forced to sell their properties.
Investor defends project
The investor, Uriel Curtis, said he has fallen in love with the area and invested as part of a broader trend of foreign investment in Cyprus.
He stated that his goal is to create a restored village open to all visitors.
Curtis also cited bureaucratic delays in processing 11 applications submitted over the past three years, claiming a lack of official response.
He added that the project represents a high-risk investment and said he has already incurred significant financial losses due to delays.
Local authorities emphasise compliance
Representatives of local communities, including the President of the Krasochoria cluster and other community leaders, expressed support for development projects that comply with the law.
They stressed that any progress in the region must respect environmental and planning regulations.
Local officials also noted that the responsibility for identifying potential violations lies with the relevant state authorities.
Environmental balance and future prospects
Supporters of the project argue that Trozena has been cleaned and upgraded from an abandoned and neglected site into a landscaped area with vegetation, seating areas and basic infrastructure.
They claim the development respects the architectural character of the region and includes environmental measures such as bird nesting boxes and fire protection equipment.
The investor said the aim is to combine development with preservation and create a sustainable rural destination.
Also read: Environment Department steps in over Trozena, fines expected
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
