In order to set the record straight regarding media reports concerning the actions of the Municipality of Geroskipou in relation to the tender for the three seafront snack bars in Geroskipou, the Municipality wishes to clarify the following:

1. Having leased state land and secured all the necessary permits, the Municipality of Geroskipou, through borrowed funds, erected three snack-bar kiosks on the Municipal Beach in 2018. Until 2018, illegal structures stood on the site where snack bar 1 is now located.

2. In February 2018, the Municipality of Geroskipou entered into a sublease agreement for the direct award of snack bar 1 to Andreas Ilia Xenofontos, despite a letter from the Auditor General (August 2017) expressing disagreement with the Municipality of Geroskipou’s decision to sublet the property in question without an open tender. The agreement expressly states that the tenant “is obliged to surrender vacant possession of the leased premises upon expiry of the term of use”. It is further noted that “the term of use shall not be renewed, as the Municipal Council is legally obliged, before the end of its term, to invite and complete open public tenders for a new licence of use”.

3. For various reasons, the Municipal Council of Geroskipou renewed the agreement in 2021 and again in 2023, disregarding the negative opinion of the Municipality’s legal advisor dated 10/11/2023. That opinion, moreover, noted that the reasons cited by Mr Xenofontos “have no legal basis”.

4. On 10 October 2024, the Municipal Council of Geroskipou (i.e. the new Municipality) unanimously decided to accept the decision of the Council of Ministers to renew the lease of the site, on the basis of a letter from the Department of Lands and Surveys dated 25/7/2024, which informed the municipal authority that, on 26/6/2024, the Council of Ministers had decided to lease the site to the Municipality, noting that “the sublease is to be carried out through an open tender procedure”. The Department of Lands and Surveys’ letter further stressed that if we failed to comply with any of the terms of the agreement, the decision of the Council of Ministers would be automatically revoked.

5. On 22 November 2024, the lease agreement was signed between the Ministry of the Interior, on behalf of the Government, and the Municipality of Geroskipou, with the same standing condition regarding an “open tender”. The agreement notes that if we fail to comply with the terms, “the Owner”, i.e. the State, “shall acquire the right to enter the property and regain possession of it”.

6. On 7 April 2025, the Ministry of the Interior, replying to the President of the Pancyprian Organisation for the Rehabilitation of War Victims, who on 30/8/2023 had requested that snack bar 1 be granted to Andreas Ilia Xenofontos, stated that “in the event of a sublease, this must be carried out through an open tender procedure. Accordingly, in the event of a renewal of his sublease agreement, Mr Xenofontos would have to take part in the open tender procedures to be invited by the Municipality”.

7. On 12 June 2025, the Municipal Council unanimously decided to invite an open tender for the sublease of the three snack bars. The Municipality of Geroskipou categorically denies any claim that the Ministry of the Interior’s letter dated 2/5/2025 was not presented to the Municipal Council. That letter was a subject of discussion at the specific Council session and is included in its minutes.

8. On 17 July 2025, at the request of Council members, the Municipality obtained an opinion from its Legal Advisor. This makes it clear that “the Municipality is legally obliged to proceed with the relevant invitation to tender, and direct award is not permitted by any law or regulation”.

9. On 21 July 2025, the Municipal Council, by majority, reaffirmed its decision to invite tenders for all three snack bars.

10. On 10 September 2025, the deadline for the submission of tenders for the sublease of the three snack bars expired. The procedure was carried out through an open tender, in accordance with the agreement between the Municipality and the Government. The tenders were submitted through the e-procurement system of the Treasury of the Republic (e-procurement). Andreas Ilia Xenofontos did not submit a tender through the electronic platform.
The Municipality of Geroskipou is obliged to comply with the law, the regulations and the terms of the agreement with the Government. It has no discretion to lease the site directly, without an open tender. If and when the Government decides to amend the terms of the lease, the Municipality will reconsider the matter.