Cyprus Defence Ministry begins process of closing Tserkezoi firing range

The process of closing the Tserkezoi firing range in the Tseri area has already begun, Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said. The timeframe for closing the range has not yet been determined.

Speaking on the CyBC programme “Proino Dromologio”, the minister clarified that the announced decision concerns Tserkezoi specifically. The Kalo Chorio firing range in Larnaca district operates under a different arrangement and will not be dismantled at this stage, despite demands from residents of nearby communities that it be closed.

Palmas returned to the discovery of two unexploded shells at the Kalo Chorio range, which were found while a forest fire near the community of Ayia Anna was being extinguished. The minister said residents’ concerns were understandable, but noted that unexploded ordnance at firing ranges is not uncommon. According to him, the goal is to completely rule out such incidents and destroy unexploded shells after every exercise.

The minister reiterated that access to the firing ranges is closed and announced a decision to deploy round-the-clock security at the Kalo Chorio range.

Palmas also added that the issue of a new deputy chief of the National Guard will be brought before the Cabinet at its meeting on Saturday, 29 August. The government will have to decide whether to keep Lieutenant General Neophytos Pachoulidis in the post or appoint one of two major generals — Charis Georgiou or Andreas Charalambous.