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- Русский
"Any action or decision by some, so as to lead to a universal ban on divestments, will only succeed in creating problems for the economy of our country," President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides said tonight.
Speaking to reporters on his arrival at the Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards ceremony, and asked how he would deal with the intention of political parties to vote for a proposed law to suspend divestments through a court order, the President of the Republic said: "We are here to honour all those who have invested in our country, all those who through their actions and investments show a clear vote of confidence in our country."
It is an Invest Cyprus initiative that I want to welcome. We have been in close cooperation with Invest Cyprus since the first day we took office, we recently had a very constructive meeting with major investors in our country, to listen to the problems, the difficulties, the challenges that they face, because we understand - I am sure everyone understands - the importance of this kind of investment in our country, which in turn creates quality jobs, something that is of direct interest to us for the new generation.
I will start with this because it is also related to the issue that you have mentioned.
I will start with this because it is also related to the issue that you have mentioned. The credibility of our country is a key ingredient if we want, and I'm sure everyone wants, to attract quality investment. The Government is approaching this issue with the utmost seriousness and tomorrow the House of Representatives will be briefed in writing by the Minister of Finance on a package of measures by the Government to ensure on the one hand the credibility of our country, but - because this is our priority - to protect our vulnerable compatriots and not the strategic defaulters.
Any action or decision by some to lead to a blanket ban on divestment will only succeed in creating problems for our country's economy. And when the economy of a country has problems, the possibilities of having a social policy are limited, you cannot develop a housing policy that interests our young people and much more.
So, with absolute responsibility and after I have discussed with all the competent bodies, tomorrow (we will have) very specific proposals from the Government, but not a universal end to divestment. It is something that only favours strategic defaulters who take advantage of this kind of behaviour and does not provide a solution to the problem."
Asked if the proposals include the bill for the special court for divestments, the President of the Republic said: "Sure. There are several proposals, tomorrow the House will be informed in writing and responsibly and we are ready to discuss."
Asked if he would refer the bill if the House goes ahead, the President said: "It is not right to discuss on hypothetical scenarios, I am sure that the Parliament also understands the importance of the issue, I do not think anyone wants to lead the country into adventures.
I approach them responsibly and I am sure that we will come to that result that, yes, we will protect those who are really in need, our vulnerable compatriots, but at the same time our country and its credibility."
Asked about the rent versus installment plan and to a reporter's remark that the beneficiaries seem to be very few, and that according to KEDIPES only 800 applications will be accepted, the President said: "First, we have to let it work, to see how many will express interest and so on. But it is for this reason that we will not proceed in Parliament - and you will see it I have no issue to make it public after the parties are informed of course - that it is a package of proposals, it is not a proposal, because we just understand the importance of the issue, we approach it with absolute seriousness, with a dual objective, to protect those who really need it, but also to ensure the credibility of our country because without the credibility of our country we could not
