The President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, visited the facilities of the Open University of Cyprus today.
In his statements to the media, on his arrival at the university, the President, when asked to comment on the Russian Foreign Minister's statements that the Governments of Cyprus and Greece had been transformed, said that "the problem is to be self-critical because possibly some states, some associations of states such as the EU took the measures. But at the same time I wanted to point out that at the time when the otherwise friendly country Russia forced us to follow the collective decisions of the EU, it cannot be expected that we could be the stigma of Europe, i.e. the dissenters of the measures that are universally decided.
Therefore, I want to maintain the friendly relationship we have had with Russia and the gratitude, of course, for the long-standing attitude that Russia has maintained and continues to maintain regarding the Cyprus problem and the understanding on the part of Russia that there are no options when international law is violated."
Asked to comment on the issue of the pan-strike on the issue of ATA, the President said that "what I want to point out is that, the present Government has reinstated what was abolished, namely ATA, with a decision that covered or satisfied 50 per cent of the workers' right to ATA. We have made efforts, there are such conflicting views between employers' organizations and workers that it takes real will on the part of everyone, so that there can be an agreed arrangement on this issue, something that the Minister of Labour has made significant efforts to do. Beyond that, we cannot intervene in a way that subverts or that takes away or denies rights. What I want to say is that this Government has reinstated something that was abolished under the previous Government by 50 per cent. What is required is one. A responsible attitude from everybody and I wonder what will honestly serve, in this period, the transitional period, because we are in a period of transitional government because on February 5 and 12 we may have elections, because there will have to be a walkout, who are they going to push? What, apart from the economy, will they damage? I make an appeal to the trade unions. To suspend the measures and say that after the presidential election there will be an effort, since 50 per cent is guaranteed for 2023, since the workers' unions accept a gradual return to full rights under the ATA, why not leave it to a later time, so that the present government cannot bind, which is not allowed to bind, the government that follows."
Asked about the issue of the Akamas Local Plan and the call by the communities for the President not to bow to the environmentalists, the President said "it is not a matter of bowing to the environmentalists, it is a matter of the Government following EU directives.
This does not mean that we will disregard the rights of communities. What is paramount is to protect the environment based on the reports of the Environmental Protection Agency there and where recommendations are mandatory. Where they are voluntary there will be appropriate adjustments so that we do not disregard.
And even where they are mandatory, it is not our desire to disregard the rights of the residents of the communities."
Asked if the measures the Government is working on can satisfy residents, the President said "we will try to the best of our ability to satisfy them."
Asked if he had an update on the draft UNFICYP resolution, the President said "not yet."
(PM/MG/SX)
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