In his speech, the Minister of Interior spoke to the conference about the challenges that arise and a series of reforms, such as that of local government, noting with satisfaction that today we can refer to local government, having before us new and extremely promising data for our country.
He said that after years of efforts, discussions and consultations, one of the most important reforms for Cyprus was passed by the House of Representatives last March.
He said that the passage and publication of the new laws was the first, but very important step in rolling the implementation of the local government reform. The roadmap for the implementation of what is mentioned in the new legislative framework was already being implemented, with the aim of putting the new operating framework into effect in June 2024, at the next local elections.
At the same time, he expressed confidence that the excellent cooperation[/B] they have so far enjoyed with the trade union side and the valuable and steady support shown by the trade unionists towards achieving the goal of passing the reform bills would continue during the transition period.
He noted that any opposition is not likely to hinder the implementation process, as long as it is handled with a spirit of caution and cooperation and with an eye on the ultimate goal of creating sustainable, more effective local authorities and organisations, with expanded powers, administrative and financial autonomy for the benefit of every citizen, wherever they reside in Cyprus.
He said that personnel issues are one of the main pillars of the upcoming reform and added that an indicator of success will be the creation of modern organisational charts that meet the needs of each new entity and the empowerment of local authorities with the appropriate staff to be able to carry out their work effectively.
Mr. Nouris said that through the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Ministry will implement a project which includes, among other things, training for elected officials and staff of local authorities in order to provide the necessary skills for a smooth and orderly transition to the new operational framework. The project, which starts next September, until the beginning of 2025, and will be implemented by the Council of Europe's Centre of Expertise on Good Governance, in cooperation with the Associations of Municipalities and Communities and the Academy of Public Administration.
In relation to RIK, Mr. Nouris underlined the contribution of the FCC to the implementation of the important agreement reached in 2020 between the employers' side and the staff unions of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation.
Through this agreement, an organisational chart was created that now enables the Foundation to cope with modern requirements, making full use of its human resources and without any loss of positions.
On the issue of the housing policy, Mr. Nouris said that through the course of its implementation it evolved and "mutated" to become even more generous and attractive to citizens.
He noted that particular emphasis was placed on promoting policies for rural regeneration, with particular reference to our mountainous, disadvantaged and marginal areas, and stressed that the aim, through the generous Plans to provide financial assistance for the acquisition of housing, was to create the conditions and prospects for the retention of the existing population, but also for the attraction of new residents, contributing to the reduction of the phenomenon of urbanization.
To date, he said, a total of 694 applications for the acquisition of owner-occupied housing have been approved, at a cost of €24.3 million, which demonstrates the interest of citizens in the Schemes.
The Schemes were revised and re-launched in April 2022 with additional enhanced incentives and triple the available funding of €15m.
On the big issue of migration, Mr. Nouris first stressed that the perpetrator and instigator of the invasion and migration is Attila the Hun. "Invader in 1974, trafficker of human souls in recent years, instrumentalizing migrants with the purpose and aim of demographic alteration and alienation of the country," he said, stressing that this dangerous hybrid threat against both Cyprus and the EU itself has amassed 50,000 asylum seekers in the Republic-controlled areas, almost all coming from the Green Line.
Mr. Nouris said that the recent decisions and the public statements of EU officials are a window of optimism that send a clear message that the European partners have now become partners, participants and helpers in our efforts to effectively address this crisis.
As Mr. Nouris, this of course did not happen by magic or by chance, but was done with perseverance, but also with a correct and documented approach to the problem, which led to the signing of 4 agreements with the EU and its agencies, which allow us to be optimistic that the management of the problem is now becoming more manageable since support is provided to important infrastructure projects and know-how.
He went on to say that the Ministry of Interior has clearly defined its objectives, which is to reduce the number of crossings of the green line which will be achieved by placing physical barriers, surveillance through a police unit, the establishment of which we expect the House of Representatives to pass into law and the use of technology.
At the same time, he said, we are maximizing the returns of those whose applications are rejected. Already deportations for 2022 have exceeded those totaled in 2021, reaching 2,400, while we are rolling out agreements with a number of countries for the return of those of their nationals whose stay was rejected, he said.
Source: CNA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
