Today is a very important day, I would say that it is historic, since the recent passing of the bill on the amendment of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus into a law of the State, by the Plenary of the Parliament, makes possible the implementation of the reform and modernization of the structure and operation of the Cypriot courts.
I therefore welcome with great satisfaction the adoption by the Parliament of this constitutional amendment, whose legislative changes comprise the major part of the reform of the Judiciary. At the same time, it is with the same satisfaction that I wish to congratulate and thank all the many people who contributed to making today's passage possible, with special appreciation to the parliamentary parties, which, throughout the lengthy debate of these bills in Parliament, have shown a responsible and constructive attitude, far from partisan or political expediency. And the universal response shown today by all the parliamentary parties in favour of what I consider to be the greatest reform since the establishment of the Republic in the field of justice and in the system of administration of justice allows me, in my capacity as Attorney General, to be the greatest institutional litigant in the courts, to be optimistic that in the same way the Plenum of the Parliament will proceed next Thursday by passing the other two main reform bills submitted by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order - and which were discussed at length in the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs - so that the reform of the justice system can be completed. A reform which aims to reverse the disorderly trajectory of the collapse of the Cypriot judicial system, to address the delays in the administration of justice and to structure a new, speedy and efficient system for the citizens and the country.
At the same time, of course, I cannot but share the position expressed by parliamentary parties in favour of promoting changes in the primary jurisdiction of the courts. I agree that changes need to be made in the lower levels of the judiciary; it is work that irrevocably needs to be done. Already the Legal Service, on specific issues that directly affect it, is working with the Supreme Court to make some changes that will lead to speeding up first instance proceedings.
(BL)
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