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- Ελληνικά
Today is a historic day for the internal governance of our country, as Cyprus enters the new era of Local Government, which, in the medium term, is expected to have multiple benefits for the quality of life of citizens, Minister of Interior Mr.Constantinos Ioannou said today. Speaking during a press conference held on the occasion of the implementation of the Local Government Reform, Ioannou reiterated the position that the reform is clearly better than the system that existed until now, saying, however, that it is not the ideal one.
With a view to improving specific points to make the new system more efficient and functional, the Interior Minister announced his intention to start a round of consultations with parliamentary parties from September. The aim, he noted, is "to put on the table the points that need to be revised and to find together those solutions that will substantially improve the new framework of local government and to regulate in legislation some of the gaps that have been identified". Ioannou also conveyed the intention of the President of the Republic to visit all the provinces in the coming period, as part of the ongoing effort to contact the Local Authorities and citizens, in order to record the needs that will arise, so as to make those interventions that will make the new model of self-government more effective.
"A reform of this magnitude that affects the entire society, can only have a dynamic and progressive character. In order to achieve the desired development, all those involved in this project must listen to the needs of citizens and ensure that local authorities have at their disposal all the tools that will allow them to be constantly upgraded and to be close to the citizens, who are the final beneficiaries of this radical change," the Minister said in his statement.
Present at the press conference were, among others, the President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities (EDC) Mr. Andreas Vyras and Mr. Lefteris Pericles, President of the Limassol District Committee of the Union of Cyprus Communities (UCC), as well as the Presidents of the District Local Authorities of Nicosia, Paphos and Larnaca.
For his part, the President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities expressed his conviction that today's day with the operation of the new system of self-government is in the right direction. "It is a step that brings us much further ahead from where we were and I am sure that it is not the end of the road. As the Minister has said, this is where we will be, just to see what is working, what is not working right and engage in honest dialogue to improve it. Local government is not static; it's not something that you ever reach a quagmire. On the contrary, there must be a will from all of us to go to the next stage of improving the weaknesses," he noted.
The President of the EPP referred to two issues that need immediate attention, concerning the Municipal Police and the management of beaches. "Two important issues that must be resolved as soon as possible so that we can be much more efficient as municipalities," he said. Furthermore, referring to the transfer of licensing from the Municipalities to the EIA, despite the doubts that had been expressed by the Union of Municipalities, Mr. Vyras expressed confidence that there is a willingness and intention to evaluate any issues that arise, in the context of the good cooperation that has existed over the years, in order to improve any weaknesses and for the citizens of Cyprus to have a better quality of life, with better and more cost-effective services. "To solve some long-standing problems faced by the Municipal Authorities. We hope now, with the new measures, that all those things that we have been discussing for decades and not finding solutions will be solved, that it will be a new beginning in which we will put both the economy and citizen service in a better dimension."
On behalf of the Union of Cyprus Communities, Mr. Pericles described today as the most historic day for Local Government. "Today the biggest change that Cypriot Local Government has ever known is taking shape. We must roll up our sleeves and get down to business. The new facts are reflected in the operation of the EDAs, the 20 new municipalities and the 30 Community Service Clusters. These agencies are our bet for a more upwardly mobile face of local government," Pericles said. He also referred to the difficulties that this major reform is expected to have in the initial period, which will be resolved through collective effort and cooperation. He conveyed his optimism that the change will improve the quality of life of our fellow citizens, wherever they reside.
"We are truly optimistic that with the changes, which are implemented as of today, our fellow citizens, if not immediately, at least in the next short period of time, will be able to enjoy improved and more efficient services. It is even expected that these services will serve the public citizens with lower costs and allocation of resources."
Finally, asked by a media official to make an assessment on the completion of the examination of the pending applications that have been transferred to the EDAs, Mr. Ioannou said that no timetable can be given at this stage, saying that, in consultation with the EAOs, some individual actions are being taken to further increase the number of applications being processed. However, he pointed out, each Agency will evaluate the applications before them in the coming days and an indication can be given in the coming months.
(MCI)
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