Politis

Audit Service: Weaknesses and Overly Optimistic Estimates in the Recovery and Resilience Plan - They Failed for GSI

Published March 19, 2026, 08:24
Audit Service: Weaknesses and Overly Optimistic Estimates in the Recovery and Resilience Plan - They Failed for GSI

The Audit Service has identified weaknesses and overly optimistic estimates in Cyprus's Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). The selection of investment projects was not based on a comprehensive prioritization, considering their economic and social impact, as well as their maturity level. Measures were selected based on the criteria of the European Commission, but not with a focus on maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of available resources. As an example, the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project, whose risk of non-implementation was underestimated, is mentioned. Furthermore, the number of measures and milestones in the RRP is considered disproportionately large for the size of Cyprus and the funding it received, making monitoring difficult and increasing the risk of losing funds. The Audit Service also points out the absence of a comprehensive national framework for public consultations during the preparation of the RRP, as the relevant Council of Ministers decision was taken after the plan was completed. This may have led to limited integration of the needs of society and the market, reducing the potential socio-economic impact of the Plan. Finally, the delay in the implementation of measures is attributed to various factors, such as the lack of maturity of some projects, unrealistic schedules, problems with public procurement, appeals, delays in equipment delivery due to the war in Ukraine, and reduced interest in participating in grant schemes.