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It is with great pleasure that I welcome today's seminar organised by the Pancyprian Bar Association on the Independent Authority against Corruption.
I was invited and participated during the election campaign together with the Panhellenic Bar Association in a seminar in relation to the EEZ, the maritime borders of Cyprus and Greece and I would like to use today's opportunity to say how important such seminars are in current affairs. Because the issue of corruption is one of the issues that is very high on the priorities of Cypriot society. One of the issues that I hope will emerge from the discussion that will follow is the general perception that exists in society, because the general perception that exists in society is that everyone involved in the public life of the country in one way or another contributes to the existence of corruption in our country. No matter how many laws and regulations we make, no matter how many decisions we take, if we do not reverse this perception in society, we have certainly not achieved our goal. Watching the indicators from the Eurobarometer from time to time, if we look over time over the last 15-20 years, it was justice in Cyprus that was never, ever questioned, the institution of justice was very high as a reaction of society to the institutions of the Republic of Cyprus in general. And unfortunately in recent years, I urge you to see it, even the institution of justice in our country is being challenged.
I will start by saying that the fight against corruption is one of the biggest and most serious challenges facing many states around the world. In the EU it is an issue that we often discuss, and I refer to my previous capacity as Foreign Minister. There are EU Member States that face some more problems and difficulties, others less, but it is something that concerns the EU.
Corruption poses a threat to the foundations of democracy and is a scourge that adversely affects every aspect of public life with economic, social, and political consequences. At the same time, it causes uncertainty and irreparably affects, among other things, the business environment, undermining the country's competitiveness. It is something we hear often in our efforts to attract quality foreign investment to Cyprus. As it leads - and for me this is the greatest threat, the greatest danger and the greatest challenge we face - to the removal of the trust of citizens and society as a whole in the institutions and the state, it reinforces suspicion and doubt, and distances citizens from the electoral process and, by extension, from the political life of the country.
Everything I have mentioned above makes it imperative to fight corruption which, in essence, nullifies the principles and values of a favourable state. In the same context, it is also necessary that the perception prevails in society that such phenomena are not only unacceptable, but that they are punished immediately and exemplarily.
Taking concrete initiatives in the direction of fighting corruption and setting clear and tangible goals for the formation of a general climate of political accountability are therefore a priority for our Governance. It is a big gamble, which I hope we will win when we are judged at the end of our governance.
The enactment of the three laws of 2022, namely, the Law on the Establishment and Operation of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority, the Law on Transparency in Public Decision-Making Processes and Related Matters, and the Law on the Protection of Persons Reporting Violations of Union and National Law, has, I believe, established a strong legal framework for preventing and fighting corruption. And we have to highlight this fact, because compared to other member states, Cyprus is one of the few EU member states that has enacted all three of these laws, which is reflected in relevant reports.
As has been evident from the very first months of its operation, and judging by the number of complaints that have been filed, I believe that the Anti-Corruption Authority has gained the trust of the citizens and this is one of the most decisive objectives that the Authority has had.
I believe that the Anti-Corruption Authority has gained the trust of the citizens and this is one of the most decisive objectives that the Authority has had.
The Ministry of Justice and Public Order has worked effectively and in a timely manner, always in cooperation with the Authority, for the promotion and approval of the relevant Regulations, so that the Authority can operate, and recently I myself had a personal meeting with Mr. Poyatzis to be informed about the Authority's work and how it operates and how we, as the executive, while fully respecting the separation of powers, can strengthen its mission.
Further, with the assistance of the Ministry, all the required Standard Forms for the practical implementation of the law on the regulation of lobbying have been prepared and will be posted on the Authority's website, and in addition, as provided for in the basic law, the Authority is in the final stage of drafting a Code of Conduct, which will provide information on professional standards and good practices for persons wishing to become involved in public decision-making processes, as well as the drafting and publication of guidance circulars and guidelines for the correct application of the provisions of the legislation.
With regard to the practical application of the Law on the Protection of Persons Reporting Violations of Union and National Law, three explanatory guides have been prepared, in cooperation with the Office of the Legislation Commissioner, which are addressed to employees, employers and the competent authorities, respectively, and aim to inform all interested parties about the basic provisions of the Law.
Despite the important steps that have been taken, namely the adoption and practical implementation of an anti-corruption legislative framework, I strongly believe that at the same time, a specific prevention policy is needed, if you like, as a complement, which will be a key component in the eradication of corruption. And if we really want to talk about prevention policies, we should start with our education. That is where our children, our students come into contact for the first time with these kinds of issues and we need to build a culture and it will take several years to build an anti-corruption culture. It is something that we are concerned about, it is something that we have discussed with the Minister of Education and it is something that we have on the agenda to discuss with the Cyprus Bar Association.
At the same time, transparency and accountability are undoubtedly important ingredients in the effort to minimize corruption, and can clearly be achieved in the context of an effort to continuously improve the quality of institutions and of course the governance of the public sector. It is, after all, generally accepted that the greater the transparency and accountability, particularly in the public sector, the less corruption occurs.
I conclude by saying that in order to achieve the common goals of fighting corruption, prevalence of transparency and accountability, we need the rallying and cooperation of all and as the new governance of the country, I look forward to this cooperation.
PM/IS
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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