Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
I have invited you today to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to announce my decision to resign as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
I submitted my resignation to the President of the Republic several days ago, who accepted it on Friday morning, effective Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
I would like to thank the President of the Republic for the trust he has placed in me and for the opportunity he has given me to serve my country from the high office of Minister of Foreign Affairs, and previously as Director of his Diplomatic Office and as Government Spokesman.
I am most grateful to him.
My resignation is the result of a series of events and positions, public and otherwise, which have been playing out recently and which inevitably and regrettably affect the serious work which the Government, including the Foreign Office, has to do.
I object to any personal characterizations and references since I maintain a strong conviction that they do not and should not have a place in contemporary political discourse. Unfortunately, it is these approaches that are distancing more and more citizens from the public sphere and the exercise of their democratic rights and freedoms, such as voting and election.
I would like to reiterate my view that the activation of the relevant internal party procedures for the 2023 Presidential Elections, well beyond one year from their conduct, negatively affects the effective management of the challenges that we as a State and society are called upon to manage, as well as the implementation and completion of the civil society agenda. Unfortunately, recent events in the House of Representatives prove the point.
Early and long election periods are counterproductive and do not benefit the country and its citizens. I recall that in October 2021, the PPP solemnly announced the pre-presidential dialogue, as well as the political and ideological conference which, as announced, would take place at the end of spring, the results of which, quite rightly, would be the main ingredients for the 2023-2028 governance. It is obvious that the sudden acceleration of any procedures, in addition to what I have mentioned, has unfortunately led to introversion and the current situation.
In the light of what I mentioned above, I declare with all sincerity that I would be interested in the 2023 Presidential Elections, especially if my candidacy could lead to broader partnerships, and of course after a dialogue with society, including the grassroots of the D.I.SY., my party, whose support I would naturally and predictably look forward to. A dialogue that will result in the preparation of a concrete programme on all the challenges that as a country we are called upon to face in a modern way, as the citizen rightly demands.
I judge, for the reasons I have mentioned, today and in my previous statements, that this is not yet the time for any decisions. That is why, to date, I have not personally expressed any interest in the Presidential Election, despite what has been heard for some time. I should note at the same time that I have never expressed interest in the presidency of the D.I.SY., which, as the decision of President Anastasiades in 2008 proves, is not a prerequisite for claiming the Presidency of the Republic.
My goal has always been the implementation of policies without wild beasts and without the prevalence of those who indiscriminately show their sharp teeth. Democracy as a constitution does not favour conditions of jungle and anarchy without, of course, eliminating any species, allowing the smooth coexistence of everything, with respect and principles.
This kind of approach serves those who invest in polarisation and fanaticism and is not appropriate to modern democracies and morals. I am sorry but I will not follow. I stand for unions and not exclusions and this is not the first time I have said this and this is the way I have been going from the beginning.
I reiterate that, in relation to the 2023 Presidential Elections, I will make announcements when I make my final decisions. I remain as active and present as I have been all along. Not within timetables imposed by the methodologies of others whose ambitions I fully respect and they have every right to have them, as I, and you, and every citizen of the Republic of Cyprus, have every right to have them.
I have no doubt that Cypriot society does not need sharks, but a good boatman who will unite broader forces and build solid partnerships, both within Cyprus and abroad, which also plays a crucial role in a now globalised environment.
Thank you very much.
(MB)
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