The appointment ceremony of the Transparency Commissioner and the members of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority took place today at the Presidential Palace, in the presence of the President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Anastasiades.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Anastasiades said that "today I am proceeding with the appointment of Mr. Haris Poyatzis, as Transparency Commissioner, as well as Ms. Tatiana Zachariadou and Ms. Eleni Patera, Mr. Michael Konstantinidis, Mr. Nikos Zambakidis, as Members of the Independent Authority against Corruption.
Commissioner, Members of the Authority, the decision to appoint you, apart from academic studies, was taken taking into account the recommendations of the Selection Committee and I am glad because the Chairman of the Committee, former President of the Supreme Court Mr. Arrestis and the members of the Committee have made a rigorous selection from among 15 personalities and thus facilitated my work as well as taking into account your known ethics and integrity of character, as well as the absolute conscientiousness, diligence and dedication you have demonstrated in discharging your duties in the previous positions you have served.
Guarantees of paramount importance for the effective performance of the Authority's statutory mission, which includes, inter alia:
- Investigating allegations and information related to acts of corruption in the public sector, the wider public sector and the private sector.
- The supervision and evaluation of the actions of the services of the wider public sector and the private sector in preventing and combating acts of corruption, based on internationally recognised best practices and standards.
- The preparation of reports with recommendations and proposals for preventing and combating acts of corruption to the competent services.
- The preparation of reports with recommendations and proposals for the prevention and combating of acts of corruption to the competent services.
- Informing and guiding the private sector on the adoption of internationally recognised best practices for preventing and combating acts of corruption.
- Defining indicators for assessing the risks associated with acts of corruption.
- Preparing studies and issuing circulars for information and training purposes.
Being fully aware that the phenomenon of corruption is unfortunately the most serious blow to the foundations of democracy and the rule of law, we have set as a priority the creation of a comprehensive framework for preventing, protecting and combating the phenomenon.
Taking into account the reports of the European Commission, the recommendations of International Organizations, as well as the best practices at international level, we proceeded to update and introduce the National Horizontal Anti-Corruption Action Plan.
The National Plan includes a series of 52 actions that provide for the creation of strong institutions to prevent corruption, based on three main pillars.
First: Prevention, education and awareness raising.
Second: Legislative measures.
Third: Monitoring and risk assessment.
As the main policy actions implemented so far, I would like to mention indicatively:
- The adoption and implementation of a National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
- The full staffing and training of all Internal Audit Units of the Ministries/departments.
- The full staffing and training of all Internal Audit Units of the Ministries/departments.
- The establishment of the Financial Crime Investigation Sub-Directorate of the Police Headquarters, which is staffed by scientifically trained and specialised personnel for the investigation of serious cases of a financial nature.
- The establishment of the Anti-Corruption Unit as the most specialised mechanism for the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences, headed by the Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General of the Republic, with the participation of competent services.
- Strengthening the ability of the authorities, through legislation, to recover the benefits obtained from illegal activities, through the freezing or confiscation of property.
As the most important and the first institutional shielding of the state and society against corruption phenomena, the adoption of a strong legislative framework for the establishment and operation of an Independent Authority against Corruption, the protection of public interest witnesses, Transparency in Public Decision-Making Processes and the regulation of lobbying is recognized as the most important and the first institutional shielding of the state and society against corruption phenomena.
I would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank all political forces, because thanks to joint cooperation it was possible to adopt and institutionalise measures so that we can be effective and not remain in the words that the knife will go to the bone, that there will be no tolerance in terms of committing offences. At the same time, other important actions have been launched, including. I am referring to shell companies, a plague that has unfortunately marked the country for decades as a country of dirty money laundering.
- The establishment of mandatory internal mobility of human resources in the various services of the public sector, with rotation in positions of responsibility at reasonable intervals, in order to prevent the risk of developing phenomena of interference and corruption.
- The promotion of an Incentive Plan in the public, wider public and private sectors for the implementation of a recognised standard against bribery and corruption
- Continuous education and training with specialised training programmes for officials and managers in the public and wider public sector.
- The inclusion of training and educational programmes at all levels of education in order to raise awareness of the prevention and fight against corruption.
What I have mentioned is only part of the policy we are adopting.
And, I would like to welcome the fact that the design of the policy, as well as the drafting and passing of the relevant bills, is the result of a collective effort of all stakeholders, in the context of a dialogue conducted in a climate of consensus and goodwill. The most important thing, as far as the objective of fighting corruption is concerned, is that our planning for the rule of law through the 'Cyprus-Tomorrow Plan' and the other policies we are pursuing, is not only about the continuation but also the strengthening of existing successful policies that we are implementing.
The most important thing, as far as the objective of fighting corruption is concerned, is that our planning for the rule of law through the 'Cyprus-Tomorrow Plan' and the other policies we are pursuing, concerns not only the continuation but also the strengthening of existing successful policies that we are implementing.
In this context, apart from funding the establishment and operation of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority to the tune of EUR 4 million 760 thousand, we have included in the Plan additional actions. Actions in excess of EUR 3 million, related to the improvement of the legislative and institutional framework for the fight against corruption.
As I have mentioned repeatedly and I am very frank, very honest and I have no problem repeating it today, we recognise the mistakes, the gaps and weaknesses that existed, which inevitably some people abused, resulting in the unfortunate exposure of our country.
Mistakes and omissions which we have publicly acknowledged and for which we have had the courage and determination to correct.
Having said that, in no way does this negate the tremendous progress and improvements that Cyprus has made, both in anti-corruption indicators and in the legal framework and law enforcement in terms of combating the phenomenon. A fact that is recognised by the European institutions and International Monitoring Organisations through specific references in their reports.
1. In the latest report of the European Commission on the Rule of Law, issued in October 2020, it is recorded that "...for the first time 37 persons have been convicted in 26 cases". Always speaking of political or otherwise exposed persons.
2. Moneyvall's positive assessment of the real progress made by our country in the fight against money laundering.
3. The statement in April 2019 by the US Under Secretary of the Treasury and one of the political heads of the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) that "Cyprus has made tremendous progress and improvements in the legal framework and in law enforcement."
4. Konstantinidis, Mrs. Patera,
In view of what I have mentioned, your appointment, in addition to the highest honour, also implies a sense of the highest responsibility.
In this context, justifying the expectations on which your selection was based, I invite you, in the performance of your duties, to work with determination, demonstrating zero tolerance towards any actions wherever they may come from. And it is no longer I who say that I do not tolerate, but I pass the burden on to you.
Acting with absolute consistency and in full cooperation with the competent bodies involved, I am confident that you will defend the safeguarding of the independence and impartiality of the institution, while at the same time promoting its prestige and credibility.
I assure you that the State will help to ensure that the Service is staffed and that it is effective and efficient in the work it undertakes. I congratulate you because you were part of the selection team, always evaluated according to strict criteria, knowing both your character and your performance."
For his part, the Commissioner for Transparency, speaking on behalf of all, said that "the new Confirmation that has just been given before you marks the beginning of the operation of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority.
We consider it a great honour that we, the 5 Members of the Authority, have been entrusted with the implementation of this new legislation (Law 19(I)/2022 and 20(I)/2022), which entered into force on March 4, 2022 and which provides for the establishment and operation of the Independent Authority against Corruption. On the other hand, we assure you that, we are fully aware of the very difficult task we have undertaken, as well as the many demands that civil society has of us.
Simultaneously with the announcement of the names of the Members on May 3, 2022, and since the Authority had not yet been vested with the powers provided for by the Law, which was done today, the Minister of Justice and Public Order undertook the difficult task of creating the necessary infrastructure to enable the Authority to operate as soon as possible.
The actions were personally supervised by the Director General of the Ministry, Mr. Louis Panayi, assisted by a small, but capable, team of Ministry officials. We must stress that, due to the immediate and effective interventions of Mr Panagi, many problems were resolved and thus it was possible, within a short period of time, for the Authority to have its own accommodation and infrastructure, so that it could start to carry out its work. As a last, but very important step, we must point out the recent unanimous adoption by the Parliament of the first budget of the Authority.
All of the above also indicates the importance that all the institutions of the State attach to the Independent Authority against Corruption. This fact further increases the burden and responsibility with which we feel we have been entrusted.
By virtue of the relevant legislation, the Authority is vested with several powers and a great many responsibilities. These revolve around basically 2 axes: the suppression and prevention of acts of corruption. It has the right either to investigate such matters on its own initiative or following a complaint. The scope of investigation may extend beyond the public sector to the wider public sector and even, under certain conditions, to the private sector.
In order to achieve the above objectives, it is necessary to cooperate with both the Attorney General of the Republic and the Auditor General, cooperation which, in addition to being provided for by law, will be one of our primary aims and objectives.
We fully understand that it is very difficult, within a short period of time, to reverse some bad attitudes and "culture" that have found fertile ground and have been cultivated since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, perhaps even earlier. We also understand that we are living in a period of suspicion and questioning of almost all institutions by a large part of the civil society.
Therefore, at this time, we will not talk big, nor will we promise much. The way we will act as an Authority will be developed collectively among ourselves and in cooperation with the other competent bodies, with a lot of effort and coordination, and we hope that, over time, the best possible and most effective functioning of the Authority will be achieved.
What we believe we can achieve in a relatively short period of time, however, is to become the "watchful eye" that will monitor conduct and actions that may fall within the scope of our responsibilities and, under the powers granted to us by law, intervene and warn of the potential for corruption. And in the event of non-compliance, the Authority should conduct an investigation.
This will hopefully act as a deterrent to some who in the past have acted arbitrarily without any control. In this way, we will try to convince that something is now changing in Cyprus in the way corruption issues are dealt with. We hope that these efforts will convince, to the greatest extent possible, both the citizens of Cyprus and the international bodies which are known to follow the course of events with a critical attitude.
Having said the above, we appeal again to the civil society which we ask to show a little more patience. We do this because, since May 3, 2022, when our names were announced as the proposed Members of the Authority, we have all personally felt the impatience that the citizens have for the functioning of the Authority. Since the day after the announcement, citizens have tried to contact us, either at our workplaces or at our personal telephones and e-mail addresses, in order to lodge complaints, grievances or to address the Authority in any way. We explained, of course, that the Authority had not yet become operational.
But as of today, when it becomes operational, we have to explain that, again, the Authority will still need some time to be able to receive complaints. This is because according to the provisions of the Law (Article 28), Regulations governing its operation must first be prepared. Regulations that will have to be approved by both the Council of Ministers and the House of Representatives. We are confident that, with everyone's input, this will be done as soon as possible and the Regulations, which will be clear, will provide all the necessary information and details, including, among others, the procedure for filing and assessing complaints. Already, from what I have been informed by the Minister of Justice, there is a model set of regulations which will be formulated accordingly.
One final point which we wish to emphasize strongly is that, any person approaching the Authority with any request will immediately receive notice of the receipt of their request. The consideration of their request will be dealt with within the framework of the legislation relating to personal data. However, within the framework of transparency, he or she will be provided with information on the progress of the investigation. If his/her request is rejected or forwarded for further investigation, he/she will be informed immediately, with the reasons recorded and, in a transparent manner. After all, it is no coincidence that the person in charge of the Authority bears the title "Commissioner for Transparency".
(RM/NG/SX)
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