The EU will do its utmost to help Cyprus through the difficult period it is facing, following a blast at the naval base “Evangelos Florakis”, near Limassol, and the subsequent destruction of the nearby power plant, at Vassiliko, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn said on Thursday.

“You can be assured that Europe will assist and will help you, wherever it is possible” Hahn said, while on a two-day visit in Cyprus.

Hahn toured on Thursday the damaged Vassiliko power station, along with Ministers of Interior and Commerce, the Head of the European Commission in Cyprus, MEPs and the President and members of the board of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus. Hahn, speaking during a press conference, said he had seen many disasters in his career, but nothing like the one at Vassiliko.

The EU will help Cyprus to recover, Hahn said, adding that an extensive report will be submitted to the European Commission concerning the destruction at the station.