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- Ελληνικά
Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letibiotis today responded to questions from the media after the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace.
In his statements to journalists, the Spokesman, asked about the content of the Chevron letter, said that there have been exchanges of letters between the Republic of Cyprus and the company in recent days. "We are in the midst of a negotiation, at this stage it is neither beneficial nor can any further position be taken. The deposit is important both for the company and for the Republic of Cyprus and the presence of such a company in the Cypriot EEZ is a vote of confidence."
Asked if the company is expected to honour what was agreed, the Spokesman said the Government expects this negotiation to be concluded as soon as possible in good faith.
Asked about the issue of the Gate, the Spokesman said that the Government was in constant contact with the peacekeeping force, reiterating its sincere desire to resume work in accordance with the provisions of the Understanding, expecting the United Nations to ensure that those provisions were implemented in their entirety.
To another question he clarified that there is no question of renegotiating the Understanding.
Asked to refer to the issue of a team of experts coming to Cyprus to investigate what has come to light internationally about Cyprus, the Spokesman said: "The number (of the team) and their country of origin will be announced upon their arrival in Cyprus."
The President of the Republic, within the framework of the practical demonstration of zero tolerance, has personally contacted a state to send a team of experts to assist the work of the investigators in Cyprus. The response was immediately positive."
He added that the relevant Cybercrime Prosecution Service in Cyprus has been reinforced with additional staff and will be further reinforced where necessary with people with the necessary background.
To another question, the Spokesman said that the President of the Republic had addressed a state on the matter, based on the expertise and experience of that state, noting that this would contribute to the determination of the Cyprus Government to investigate and fully clarify all the evidence, either that which has recently seen the light of day or that which was already before the authorities.
He noted that "as the President of the Republic has made clear, we will not allow any shadow to be cast on the name of our country, with any possible damage it may cause to the financial sector of Cyprus, which we have shielded in recent years".
Asked about the appointment of an envoy of the UN Secretary General on the Cyprus problem, the Spokesman said that the information the Government has is that the name of the person chosen by the UN Secretary General will be announced very soon.
"The UN Secretary General has conveyed that he is determined in the very near future to proceed with the appointment of an envoy. This is something we welcome and wish to see it happen as soon as possible," he added, stressing that the President of the Republic had conveyed to the UN Secretary General our own sincere desire to resume negotiations as soon as possible. This, he said, is evidenced by the fact of our side's immediate positive response to the name chosen by the UN Secretary General, which, however, the Turkish side rejected.
Asked about the issue concerning the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza through the implementation of the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus, the Spokesman said that "the initiative, before it was presented before our European partners and other states in the region and international organizations, had reached a point at which the planning could ensure that, as soon as conditions allowed, it could be implemented. And this is still the case today. Such planning has been developed, taking into account all the facts, having different scenarios as to what conditions might prevail. We are referring to the short, medium and long-term scenario for the implementation of the initiative.
What is currently pending is that, as soon as the conditions allow it, the implementation of the initiative can be implemented."
Finally, asked where the issue of extending the issue of teleworking to the public sector, beyond the private and wider public sector, the Representative said: "It is an issue that has already been discussed before the Cabinet and will be wheeled out in parallel before the House of Representatives. We have also seen during the pandemic era the significant contribution of telecommuting when it is used in the right way, always to the benefit of workers' efficiency and their rights. The first step was taken the day before yesterday. We welcome, once again, the approval by the House of Representatives for the private and wider public sector. It is a very important step and this will be followed in the public sector."
Asked why there was a delay, the Representative said: "There are procedures that need to be followed. You understand the size of the public sector. The procedures that are in place so that it can be implemented in the public sector is something that the Treasury has evaluated and is evaluating. In the very near future, since it has already been approved by Parliament, it will be extended or considered for extension to the public sector as well."
(PM/EP/MS)
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