[PIO] Statements by the President of the Hellenic Republic on the meeting with Political Party Leaders on the issue of Local Government Reform

The President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides made statements to journalists, while attending the opening of the Photography Exhibition of Adonis Christoforou, at the Strovolos Cultural Centre.

Asked about today's meeting at the Presidential Palace with Political Party Leaders on the issue of the reform of Local Self-Government, the President of the Republic said: "It was a very good meeting. There was an exchange of views, there are common goals with the parliamentary parties to work, to do what is possible. We also need the cooperation of the existing mayors, the municipal councils, so that we can have a successful implementation of the local government reform." On any challenges or problems that may arise, President Christodoulides said there is a will from both the executive and the legislature and they are here to solve them.

Asked to comment on the absence of Ms. Anita Demetriou from the meeting, the President said: "We are raising an issue that does not exist. The Speaker of the House, the President of the Democratic Rally, certainly had other commitments and could not attend. She was a representative there, so we should not discuss an issue which frankly does not exist."

Asked whether changes are expected after the local government elections, the President said that before the elections there will certainly not be any changes that will affect the philosophy of the reform in any way. "Afterwards, hopefully there will be no challenges and problems and there will be no changes. If there are, we are certainly here to deal with them."

President Christodoulides also said that there are some issues that we will see along the way and said that in every major reform, such as the General Health System for example, I see that in the public administration reform there are already some challenges, "and we are here to deal with them. It is a very normal thing."

Finally, asked if there are any meetings with the political parties in relation to this reform, the President said: "Absolute convergences. There was an excellent discussion. We have common goals, common objectives and I am sure that we will achieve them through this collective effort."

(NGS/GC)
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