The President of the Republic presided today, at the Presidential Palace, a wide-ranging meeting on the impact of the situation in Ukraine on the Republic of Cyprus.
After the meeting, Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos told reporters that "the meeting focused on the issue of the consequences for our country of both the war that is being waged following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the sanctions imposed by the EU and other states and organisations".
As he said, "a first assessment of a global approach to the legal, economic, political and other consequences that will arise was made and it was decided to set up two inter-ministerial committees to monitor the progress of the situation and decide in the fastest and most effective way."
During the meeting, the President also gave instructions for the readiness of all stakeholders and asked that all aspects be closely monitored. To this end, the entire mechanism will be vigilant.
From what was mentioned in the extensive discussion held, "our country, like all other European countries, will be affected in various sectors of the economy. It was noted, however, that with the data so far, the impact on our country is manageable, and within the capabilities of the state," as Mr. Pelican said.
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Next Tuesday, March 8, the first shipment of Cypriot humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people is expected next Tuesday, following arrangements made in consultation with the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism.
The first humanitarian aid package includes:
- Medical supplies.
- Food.
- Civil protection related equipment (tents, sleeping bags, first aid kits etc.).
"At regular intervals, the situation will be monitored and assessed, but there will also be ongoing consultations with both the social partners and the political forces," the Government Spokesman said.
Asked if there has been any change in the decision to close the one-year space, the Spokesman said that "we are both assessing the possibility of any instrumentalisation on the part of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side which if it happens we reserve our reservation and our right to review the decision".
Asked who would make up the two inter-ministerial committees, the Spokesman said that "one would consist of the Ministers of Energy, Transport, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice and the Deputy Prime Minister and the second would consist of the Ministers of Energy, Finance, Transport and the Deputy Minister of Shipping."
To another question, he said that "the Governor of the Central Bank", who attended today's meeting, "provided a briefing regarding the potential impact on the banking sector. Given the current data, there is no reason for any concern."
Asked about this, he said that during the meeting "the impact on tourism was also assessed, as well as the impact more broadly on our economy. On the issue of Tourism, some measures that could be taken to mitigate the impact of the loss of Russian and Ukrainian tourists were assessed."
In response to a reporter's remark that refugee flows from Ukraine to Europe are expected and asked if Cyprus is ready to accept refugees from Ukraine, the Spokesman said that "from the very first moment we have stated that we go along with the decisions taken at the European level. And in this case Cyprus is ready, should the need arise, to host refugees and in fact the Minister of Interior is currently in Brussels, where he will consult with his partners on this issue."
Finally, in response to a question about the use of renewable energy sources in Europe, in order to ensure energy sufficiency, Mr. Pelecanos said that "as far as Cyprus is concerned, there is a plan, we have already come a long way on this issue and I remind you that in the Cyprus Tomorrow Plan, a very large part of the amount allocated to us from the Recovery Fund, a percentage that exceeds 40% will be dedicated to the goal of transition to a green economy."
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