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- Ελληνικά
The visit of the Emir of Qatar, the development of Larnaca port and the elections for the Local Government were mentioned tonight by the President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Christodoulides.
In his statements to journalists, he was attending an event organised by the EPEK to mark the 55th anniversary of its foundation and the 20th anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the European Union (EU), at Skali Aglantzia, to a journalist's remark that work on the Larnaca marina has been terminated following a decision by the Government and that he had stated that the state is not being blackmailed, which the President proved in practice, and asked what the next steps are, the President of the Republic said: "The development of the port of Larnaca will take place as planned."
A meeting of the Council of Ministers will be held tomorrow. I have already discussed with the Minister of Transport, we will discuss the issue and we are immediately proceeding with what needs to be done. To go out to bid, to find a company that can actually respond. We owe it to Larnaca, we owe it to the citizens. For these projects in particular of strategic importance, we need to be particularly careful, and those who take responsibility should be able to respond."
Asked how workers are safeguarded, the President said: "There should be no concern, especially for workers. We are in constant contact with the Larnaca Municipality, there is no reason for any concern, in particular I am referring to the workers."
Asked if the Emir of Qatar has shown interest in this development as well, the President of the Republic said: "We talked about very specific developments, including this one, but also other strategic developments. There is an interest in investing in our country, that is why the visit took place. It was one of the main reasons for the discussions, but we will see in practice. We approach such strategic projects with absolute seriousness."
To a reporter's remark that there seems to be stagnation on the Vasilikos project as well, President Christodoulides said: "We will have to wait and see how events unfold. Apart from the meeting I had with the Chinese Ambassador, there are ongoing processes both at the technical and political level. We will wait and see and if the need for a position arises, we will take it. Certainly our wish and expectation is not to have the same results as the port of Larnaca, but, I repeat, any company that undertakes such important projects should be able to respond."
Asked if the Emir of Qatar has been given a list of projects concerning possible investments, the President of the Republic said: "After my visit to Qatar six months ago, we had discussions with the Emir of Qatar and he promised to send Qatari representatives from the Investment Authority to Cyprus. They did visit Cyprus on two occasions, they were here and last week, and our discussions were specific."
Asked to comment on the criticisms of the Speaker of the Parliament and President of DISY Ms. Anita Demetriou for attending events like today's, and that he belongs to a different European group from those of the parties supporting him, the President said: "I am President of the Republic of Cyprus, I am President of all Cypriots, where I am invited, of course, and I will attend. If I am invited to the event of the Democratic Rally I will be there. After all, I never hid myself. During the election campaign, it was clear where I come from ideologically and what I support ideologically, party-wise, football-wise - we have seen that recently. So I have absolutely nothing to hide. And, I repeat, I am President of all Cypriots."
Asked if he is involved in the election campaign, President Christodoulides replied: "You will see very soon that everything that sees the light of day has nothing to do with reality. I am not involved in the election campaign. Our only involvement as a government is to ensure that everything is done as it should be done."
(PM/GC/EP)
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