It is a pleasure to be before your General Assembly again, but this time with the reform of local government now on wheels.
As His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus said in his address, local government is today facing a new reality which it faces with optimism for what we expect to happen, which is the result of our commitment, persistent efforts and effective cooperation in recent years.
Local government reform is no longer an aspiration, but a reality, which will be fully realised with the next municipal and community elections, expected to be held in May 2024. The new law contains provisions that foresee the creation of stronger municipalities, with administrative and financial autonomy along the lines of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. With strengthened internal control and transparency mechanisms, increased powers and greater opportunity for citizen participation in decision-making. In addition, the Union of Municipalities is transformed into a modern legal entity under public law, a powerful collective body to promote the interests and needs of local communities.
I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my satisfaction for the positive attitude that the Union of Municipalities has maintained and continues to maintain, both during the processes for the adoption of the new laws and now that we are at the stage of implementation and implementation of the reform.
Since last April, when the Bills were passed, we have entered the transitional stage of implementation. It is indeed an unprecedented process for all of us, with significant difficulties and challenges, but with the consensual spirit of cooperation shown by all sides, I am sure that we will overcome them in order to reach the desired result, and in June 2024 we will have before the citizens the new shape of Local Government. The timetable within which all the necessary actions must be completed is extremely pressing, since we have less than a year and a half ahead of us to achieve our goal.
In the intervening period, many important actions have been taken. Through the Central Advisory Committee, established and operational since last May, we have developed and shared with you a comprehensive roadmap, which includes all the actions involved in preparing for the implementation of the new model. With the participation of local government representatives, groups have been set up to deal separately with the main issues, such as staffing and organizational charts, budgets, information systems, development licensing, training and change management, as well as public information.
The relevant circulars have already been issued both to the Joint Management Councils of the municipalities and to the interim coordinating councils concerning the provincial organizations, because that is where we believe the greatest effort will be needed, since we are talking about a completely new institution.
The Ministry of Interior has organized nationwide and provincial, informative workshops with my participation, in which we had the opportunity to discuss, both on a political and technocratic level, a number of issues that concern you, while the dialogue with the technocrats of the Ministry is almost daily. Due to the acknowledged lack of previous experience, we have turned to other European states and institutions, asking for help and support, mainly in terms of expertise and a technocratic approach.
And it is in this context that the cooperation achieved with the Greek Ministry of Interior, with which a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed until the end of 2024, includes support on a number of issues such as staffing, training and budgeting. The coordinating role has been assigned to the expert and Director of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, Yannis Karagiannis, who is supported by a number of technocrats from the Greek Ministry of Interior. This assistance was provided thanks to the response of our friend Minister of Interior Makis Voridis, whom I would like to thank for his immediate response.
The Ministry of Interior, in the context of the training, also took advantage of the possibilities offered by the Recovery and Resilience Plan by signing a 30-month agreement, which will be implemented by the Expertise Centre for Good Governance of the Council of Europe, with the cooperation of the Associations of Municipalities and Communities, as well as the Academy of Public Administration.
This is a project worth a total of €840,000 that will provide education and training opportunities for officials and elected members of councils, as well as local authorities, on specific topics, with the ultimate aim of improving the capacity of local authorities to operate in accordance with the principles of the Council of Europe's European Charter of Local Self-Government.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Excellency,
The Recovery and Resilience Plan is a legacy of the Nicos Anastasiades government for the country. The Ministry of Interior, using the potential of the Plan, is implementing projects and reforms that promote balanced sustainable regional development by upgrading the quality of services to citizens and businesses.
Seven such actions that directly affect local government are underway and concern public health and civil protection, strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the economy, as well as the transition to the digital age.
Through the Cohesion Policy Funds for the period 2021-2027 It is noteworthy that the total cost of the projects promoted in municipalities and communities across the country, from the Ministry of Interior's budget alone for the period 2023-2025, will amount to €632 million, with expenditure distributed evenly between urban, rural and peri-urban areas. €325 million is allocated to urban areas, €236 million to rural areas and €71 million to peri-urban areas.
This distribution of funds precisely shows our government's support to disadvantaged rural areas and to the AECs facing deforestation problems.
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,
For us, development is the tool for shaping a strong economy. The speed of implementation of reform and realization of development projects is considered to be of utmost importance. Therefore, wanting to maximize the implementation of important development and infrastructure projects, we have adopted a new strategy, awarding a number of projects to those local government authorities, municipalities and/or communities that indicate readiness to undertake them on the basis of specific procedures, from the planning stage, bidding, to construction. And I am glad to say that you have not contradicted us. Since the implementation of this methodology, our objectives and policies have begun to materialize. By seizing opportunities, we designed the Cyprus of tomorrow and created the right prospects for our country and especially for our young people.
The introduction in full development of the fast-track planning permit system - with which planning and building permits for residential buildings are now issued electronically within only 20 days - the planning and building incentives and our generous housing policy in marginal, mountainous and disadvantaged areas of the country, show in practice our will to support, especially young couples. We have drastically improved the growth indicators, the quality of life of our people, adopting the principles of green economy and digital transformation.
Dear friends,
Any change is bound to bring reactions and resistance. But everything mentioned is now a given and we are moving forward. Now is the time for action, not for words. I therefore ask you, the local rulers, with the increased responsibilities that have now been assigned to you, to continue the cooperation that benefits the country.
Any problems that have arisen in the implementation of the Local Government Reform cannot overshadow the importance of the project.
I am confident that all outstanding issues will soon be resolved so that there will be no delay in what citizens have been waiting for for decades.
I am confident that all outstanding issues will soon be resolved so that there will be no delay in what citizens have been waiting for for decades.
Your Excellency, dear colleagues,
The implementation of the reform should be a shining example of best practices for any future grand reform project in our country.
The government, far from dogmatism, in consultation with the parliamentary parties and in full cooperation with all of you, the representatives of local government, we have achieved what seemed impossible a year ago.
After the social reform of the EEU, the health reform with the introduction of the YESY, the administrative reforms with the creation of the Deputy Ministries, but also the introduction of a number of other innovative and radical changes, the government of President Anastasiades is putting into practice the rationalization of Local Authorities, offering citizens better quality services at the lowest possible cost.
Together we have achieved it, together we will achieve it.
I would like to thank you warmly for your cooperation and wish each and every one of you all the best and every success in the work of your General Assembly.
(EFYs/MB/EXP)
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