The handover ceremony of the Office of the Government Spokesman by Mr.
Handing over the Office of the Government Spokesman to the new Government Spokesman, Mr. Konstantinos Letibiotis.
Handing over the Office of the Government Spokesman, the outgoing Spokesman said that "unfortunately, it is a black day today, a black dawn. We have been watching with shock since morning the developments and the tragic account following the train collision in Tempe. Courage and sincere condolences to the families of the victims.
I would like to congratulate the new Government, the new President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, the new members of the Cabinet, the new members of the Government and wish them every success in the work they are undertaking. In particular, I would like to congratulate my dear friend, the new Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letibiotis, Mrs. Doxa Komodromou who becomes Deputy Government Spokeswoman and my friend Victor Papadopoulos who becomes Director of the Press Office of the new President.
As I leave, I wish you good strength and success in the demanding post you are assuming.
I would like to warmly thank the entire journalistic community with whom I have worked closely over the last 20 months, in order to achieve our common goal, which was of course none other than the accurate, timely and objective information of our fellow citizens.
I would like to thank every member of my Office, the Deputy Government Spokesperson Ms. Nivi Parisinou, the Director of the Press Office of President Anastasiades Mr. Andreas Joseph, every member of my team, all my colleagues, my fellow Ministers and all members of the outgoing Government, but also every partner of every Ministry with whom I have had the opportunity to work throughout this period.
I would particularly like to thank the Director and the staff of the JHA for the cooperation we have had over the last 20 months.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the staff and members of the Diplomatic Office of President Anastasiades for the excellent cooperation we have had.
I thank my police officers, the members of the President's Guard and every member of staff at the Presidential Palace.
Allow me to pay special tribute to President Anastasiades and to thank him once again publicly for the honour, the trust and the opportunity he has given me to serve my country and a Government which leaves behind a great work of reform, a resilient and robust economy and a huge legacy which is the national plan Cyprus - Tomorrow.
Dear Constantine I wish you the best, good strength and whatever you need I will be at your side."
For his part, the new Government Spokesman said that "I wish the conditions were better, that we could start our day with more auspicious and good news to express our sorrow for the tragedy in Greece, our support, the President of the Republic will contact the Prime Minister to express the support of the Republic of Cyprus.
I want to thank my friend Mario Pelecanos. In the last few days he has been receiving a lot of phone calls so that he can guide us so that we can go and take over our duties and this is indicative of his ethics and I want to thank him personally and wish him every success in his new steps and I am sure that he will tolerate us in the coming days and we will have a cooperation.
We believe that in a prosperous society the citizen must be informed, he must be informed and this is our mission, both for us and for you, our closest associates and media officials, with whom we want to have a lasting and sincere cooperation and I am sure it will be beneficial.
We welcome criticism, as the President of the Republic has said, and as he has demonstrated, we want it, we seek it, we want to hear suggestions, we are embarking on this great journey and this great mission, knowing that if we work collectively, we can only win and only society can win.
Particularly in an information age, it is our collective responsibility to provide all citizens with the necessary information in an accurate and timely manner.
Representing both Doxa and Victor, with whom we will be working very closely in the coming period, I would like to personally thank the President of the Republic of Cyprus for the trust he has placed in us. The confidence of the President of the Republic implies responsibility, responsibility implies accountability and accountability implies a lot of hard work.
Rest assured and be sure that we will be tireless, tireless, we will work with all our strengths and starting from what we heard from our predecessor, we start very hopeful and very optimistic that the staff, the officials of the GPO who will accompany us and those who are in the Presidential Office and those who support this effort are both worthy and capable and this at least gives us satisfaction and we hope for a very productive term".
Asked whether the daily press briefings by the Government Spokesman will be resumed, Mr. Letibiotis said that "any suggestions you have are welcome, especially from people with your experience, in the next period, starting tomorrow, we will start contacts with media officials to listen to suggestions, to record them and I am sure that there is a will and desire to make your job as easy as possible, and direct and timely, and from us to have this communication, I think we can also use technology, it gives us possibilities, as long as there is this good will. We do not want a grace period but simply an understanding that we do not have the experience in this either, but we have a lot of appetite for work and we will immediately fill the gaps. We welcome any suggestions to schedule meetings, to exchange views, not to take decisions directly but to take them with you collectively, so that your work is easier and our term is more productive."
Finally, the Director of the DGP Ms. Aliki Stylianou said that "today is an important day for democracy, but also for the Press and Information Office.
All the staff and media representatives are here to welcome you, to see and hear you.
Let us assure you that as always we are by the side of the media, to support them, to provide them with information, so that a democracy can function as the people need".
(PM/MG/SX)
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