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What is it like for a diplomat to enter the political arena and even the election race?
I have to admit that I am in awe. Although I have always been on the fringes of politics, and perhaps at certain stages of my life I have even crossed the line, there is always a special flair of politicians that I don't know if I possess. It is one thing for your view to be, as mine has always been, service to the state and my country, and it is another to see it from the perspective of domestic politics, of discernment in the political arena and partisan debate. But at the same time it also contains an attractive element, it is the moment of truth, you put yourself before the world and ask them to evaluate you.
What do you see as the biggest challenge you have to face in the next seven months? To listen to the people, to prepare the governance programme?
The biggest challenge is definitely to convince them that what I am trying to do, with full transparency and accountability, will make a difference to the country and allow it to do better. The biggest challenge is twofold: to rise to the occasion and convince our fellow citizens of the need for real progressive change and at the same time convince them to trust us and march with us.
Don't you find it a bit of an oxymoron that you, who were the manager of the Cyprus problem, are supported by the major opposition party, which criticised the President of the Republic precisely for this management?
It may seem a bit paradoxical on the surface, but in reality it is not, because the negotiator is not part of the government of the country. The negotiator was appointed by the President of the Republic with the unanimous opinion of the National Council to implement the national policy on the Cyprus problem, based on the parameters decided by the National Council. Let us also not forget the consistent commitment and support of AKEL and the Left to the efforts made in the period 2015-2017 to get closer than ever to a solution of the Cyprus problem.
You have experienced the efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem for the last 20-25 years and much closer in the last 9 years from the position of negotiator. Do you really believe there is a prospect of a solution? We are calling for a restart of the effort from their break point and the Turkish side is talking about two states.
It is very, very difficult and as time goes by it gets harder, but we have to stay focused and determined, otherwise what will happen? And if there is no hope at this moment we have to create it. And that is my message, to create the perspective, to create those conditions that will finally lead us to a solution. If you ask me if I see them now, the answer is that everything is pale. But we will create them.
When we talk about a solution, do we mean the state of affairs that we meant 20 years ago about the return of refugees and property? Or is our intrinsic goal to prevent partition?
As far as I am concerned, I am clearly referring to a solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality. I do not believe that anything better has been discussed. This form of solution must of course guarantee the right of return, the three basic freedoms (movement, settlement, property), protect all human rights of all Cypriots and finally the full participation of the country in the European Union, in the European integration process, the implementation of the four freedoms of the EU, without derogations.
In 2004, which was the last major attempt for a solution, the catalyst was EU membership. Today....
In 2004 the Annan plan was preventing accession from being a catalyst, and eliminating before Cyprus joined, the momentum it was creating.
There was a milestone anyway, that of accession.
Yes.
Do you think that now the milestone is gas?
I think that after 2004, when we entered the EU, having shed our soul's blood, we were given a better chance. The effort that was made until 2017 was ultimately made possible because of the change of context brought about by the accession and the coalescence of some important forces in the Turkish Cypriot community. It does not mean that it will be the case forever. It was a new opportunity that brought us much closer to the solution, with much better conditions and with much better content of the solution. Of course there were other factors such as gas. Don't forget that a decade ago there was an approach that there was a need to resolve the Cyprus problem in order to see an energy and economic cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, there was a heightened international interest.
The proposal you put forward for the sale of natural gas to Turkey before the solution implies recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, does it not?
We are talking about a sale, at market prices, of natural gas to Turkey, exclusively for its own internal needs. It at least implies the acceptance of the Republic of Cyprus and the creation of a partnership. It also implies a commitment to resolve disputes on the basis of the principles and mechanisms of international law.
If this happens and Turkey accepts the existence of the Republic of Cyprus, the Cyprus problem will essentially be resolved, since this issue is at the core of the Cyprus problem, don't you agree?
In a way, the most important thing is resolved, that is, Turkey accepts that we exist, that we can negotiate with it and that we can do things pending a solution. That is, if you like, we are creating conditions for peaceful resolution of differences, coexistence and symbiosis because we must not forget that geography does not change.
How independent will you be? Or how independent can you be given that every President also needs parliamentary support
I think I am totally independent, but independent does not mean that you ignore or overlook or disregard or do not accept the support offered by important political forces, which of course contribute to the programme. And it goes without saying that when we come to power, all these political forces will have their place in the governance of the country through a dynamic that will bring results. The political forces that help should also contribute to the implementation of the programme. Not only to write the programme but also to implement it.
Fighting corruption is a need that all political forces stress, however, most of them, in one way or another, are involved in corruption and are part of the problem. How ready are you to clash with them?
By nature I am not a confrontational person, I am the person who always acts and organizes in terms of results. I am interested in fighting corruption, good administration, transparency, accountability, good practices. It is by entrenching these things that corruption, which is a rot that eats away at the state apparatus and destroys the social fabric for the benefit of adventurers, will be lost. I believe that in a modern European society, there is no place for such things. If citizens finally have confidence in the institutions, in the state, in all authorities, we can go much better and much faster. And I believe that even those political forces that you say are involved can change and flourish under other circumstances. We have to change our mindset and our tactics. Our people have to learn to operate in a space of respect for each other. For me, above all, what breaks me is that deep down there is lawlessness, disrespect, circumvention of institutions and it is a shame for the country and its potential.
When will your election program be ready?
The program will be ready after the summer, but already since last week when I announced my candidacy, I have been going out and not refusing any proposal for any debate. I will consult with people, with social groups, with political groups.
Where will you emphasize? On the economy?
Economy is by nature a big priority because it is the basis for the implementation of all the ambitious policies we are planning. The difficult turning point we are going through at this stage makes economic consolidation even more urgent and even more pressing. It is very important to address the reality, all the phenomena we are experiencing at the moment, the distress of the world, through structural changes that will put the country on a solid development path and allow us to have at our disposal all those tools and social protection networks that are necessary for a successful exit from the crisis. Unfortunately, what is happening now is an attempt to find small opportunistic solutions to deal with the symptoms of the bad situation. We need to go beyond that.
Such as? What would you suggest?
A few days ago I suggested that there should be a cap on fuel taxes. It is unthinkable in such critical situations for our country that the state should double its fuel revenues through taxation. The consumer should pay a reasonable tax on petrol, but the amount collected by the state should not increase whenever the purchase price of fuel rises. If, for example, the state receives 90 cents for every litre of petrol when the price of petrol is EUR 1.30, this amount should remain constant regardless of the increase in the purchase price of fuel. If we did that the price of petrol would now be closer to 1.50 and not 2 euros.
You have served under all Presidents, from George Vassiliou to now Nicos Anastasiades. Apart from your tenure as Deputy Minister during the Cyprus EU Presidency, if I asked you to tell me what this journey left, how would you answer?
It left a lot of experience and knowledge, a measure of comparisons and a lot of food for thought. It also allowed me to see the great and positive aspects of all the presidents of the Republic of Cyprus with whom I worked. But it also helped me in demystifying people and in rigorous evaluation. Certainly what they had in common was a concern for the country and its future, perhaps, in hindsight judged not always in the most rational and solvent way.
You mean that they lacked an understanding of what was happening in the rest of the world?
We were generally characterised by a cyber-centric and emotional approach. We lacked rationality, proper diagnosis and correct diagnosis, which are absolutely essential. You cannot passively expect that right will prevail because you believe it is on your side. Wishful thinking is not a good advisor.
Power is alluring but there have been many politicians with great experience, in Cyprus and abroad, who have left humiliated. Is this something that concerns you?
At the risk of sounding a bit iconoclastic, I am not fascinated by power. I've lived my life on its fringes, served in prominent positions and offices, and I'm not easily impressed. Election to civic office is but the tool to achieve specific goals through an Aristotelian and teleological approach, as I like to say, which also defines the means.
If elected, you will be the holder of power par excellence.
Yes, but we need to see whether we need to strengthen consultation and control mechanisms, institutional checks and balances, a new style and ethos in the exercise of power, transparency, accountability and rationality. The President of the Republic has great responsibilities and considered powers de jure and de facto, there is great room for improvement in the way they are exercised.
Why would anyone vote for Andreas Mavroyiannis in 2023? What is at stake in the election?
The stakes are too high. It is about whether our country can do better, whether it can regain its credibility to get on the path of stability and sustainable development and whether it can maximise the potential for a solution to the Cyprus problem, that is, whether it can solve the problem. I believe that my candidacy and my sought-after election can lead the country on an upward path and ensure the qualitative upgrading of our lives in the European arena in constant osmosis with the world, with our values and principles. It has a transitional character because it aims to create solid foundations for the survival and prosperity of the country in the next century.
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