An Ad Hoc House Committee, set up at the end of January this year, will look into the reasons that led to the closing down of Cyprus’ national air carrier, Cyprus Airways. Its probe will cover the period from the 80s onward.
To this end, the Committee, which held on Friday its first meeting that dealt with procedural issues, will look into documents and archives and will invite Ministers, technocrats and other civil servants, members of the company`s Boards and perhaps European and other foreign experts.
Chairman of the Committee Nicos Tornaritis told the media after the meeting that the procedure will not take the form of a trial but any responsibilities will be attributed irrelevant of who is involved and which post he or she holds.
He noted that they discussed procedural issues regarding the presence of independent officials, technocrats and other civil servants that would support the Committee`s effort.
According to Tornaritis, MPs who are members of the Committee said that their research will cover the period beginning in the 80s, when Boards of the company took decisions for the expansion of its fleet, until the air carrier`s closure. It was also decided that the Committee will meet every Wednesday and Friday.
Replying to a question, Tornaritis said that if any criminal responsibilities come up then the Committee`s report will be sent to the Attorney General and everyone else concerned, adding that the meetings of the Committee will be open and there will be transparency.
He said that they decided that the meetings must be attended by representatives of the Law Office of the Republic, the Finance Ministry and one or more of the universities with which the parliament has signed memoranda of cooperation.
He also said that they may need to invite European experts or experts from other states, adding that they will do everything necessary to discover the truth.
The MPs discussed today the data and information they will need to get from the Cyprus Airways archives and which Ministers, members of the company`s Boards, Executive Managers, legal counsellors and auditors will be invited before the Committee.
Tornaritis said they agreed that the probe must not be long-lasting as the citizens want to learn the truth soon. However, he stressed that they will not act in a sloppy manner because they need to establish the truth.
“We are willing to work hard. We need the necessary know-how and technical support and civil services must provide us with every information we need to conclude the soonest possible,” he added.
Cyprus Airways suspended its operations after the European Commission announced on the 9th of January 2015 that the company would have to pay back over €100 million in state aid it had received in previous years as it gave the company an undue advantage over its competitors in breach of EU rules.