Important reforms, critical actions that contribute to the building of a modern state, a number of development projects that were implemented during his ten-year rule, President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Anastasiades during the third presentation he made to take stock of his administration, in connection with the legacy of the National Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow". President Anastasiades' conference focused on the modernisation and reconstruction of the State. The presentation of the government's work was broken down by President Anastasiades into five sections. The first section concerns a number of important reforms and structural changes that are relevant to the proper functioning of the State. President Anastasiades referred to the amendment of the Constitution to limit the five-year terms of the President of the Republic to two, thus preventing the creation of a regime mentality. President Anastasiades also noted the creation of the Deputy Ministries in order to ensure the more efficient and orderly operation of key and vital sectors that until recently were either parts of Ministries or the responsibilities of semi-governmental organisations. The second section relates to the building of the rule of law, with a fundamental restructuring of the justice system and a series of laws that strengthen the whole anti-corruption framework and provide a strong basis for transparency and accountability. He referred to the increase in the number of judges and the creation of new court buildings. President Anastasiades referred to the creation of specialised courts such as the Commercial Court, the Maritime Court, the Administrative Court and the Court of International Protection. According to President Anastasiades, the fundamental reform of the country's judicial system has been completed and will be implemented from 1 July 2023, with the operation of a Supreme Constitutional Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
Regarding the substantial strengthening of the framework for preventing, protecting and combating the phenomenon of corruption, we have proceeded, the President said, with the adoption of three important bills that place our country among the 11 European countries that have established a strong legal background for the prevention of such phenomena, which includes:
(a) The establishment of the Independent Authority against Corruption, which, among other things, has powers to investigate complaints and information related to acts of corruption in the public sector, wider public sector and private sector and to prepare reports with recommendations and proposals for preventing and combating acts of corruption to the relevant agencies.
(b) Ensuring transparency in the decision-making processes of the public and wider public sector, so-called lobbying, in order to prevent the creation of conditions that allow corruption to occur.
(c) The protection of public interest witnesses (so-called whistle-blowers), with the aim of fully protecting those whose testimony contributes to the prosecution and conviction of those involved in illegal or corrupt acts. The fourth section concerns major development projects on a nationwide basis to improve the quality of life of residents.
The third section concerns actions and strategies not only to modernise and restructure the State in individual policy areas, but also to improve the services provided.
More specifically, we proceeded, said the President.
Equally important are the reform actions taken to extend free compulsory pre-school education from the age of four years, and to cover tuition fees for children aged 3 years to 4 years and 8 months attending public or private kindergartens.
The fourth section concerns the Government's development projects to improve the quality of life of residents in every municipality and community in Cyprus. In this context, the State has implemented development projects amounting to more than EUR 4.6 billion, which have either been completed or are under construction. The Government has proceeded with the implementation of projects that for decades were repeated, unfulfilled promises, the President of the Republic said, referring to major infrastructure projects such as the Limassol - Saita, Paphos - Polis Chrysochous, Nicosia - Paleochorio, Astromeritis - Evrychou, Larnaca - Dhekelia highways, among others. The fifth section focuses on the provisions of the Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow" for the completion of the plans for the full reconstruction and modernisation of the State. As President Anastasiades said, this is a plan which is a legacy for the continuation and completion of the efforts begun for the total reconstruction and modernisation of the State. According to the President of the Republic, it is the largest reform and development intervention since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, through a package of 133 measures, of which 58 relate to reforms and 75 to investment actions. The economic impact of the Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow" amounts to 4.4 billion euros.
During the presentation of the Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow" on 17 May 2021, I had referred extensively to the provisions of the Plan, as I had also highlighted during the two previous conferences individual reform and investment actions related to the health and social welfare sectors.
Therefore, I will avoid repeating individual references.
What I would like to stress is that the Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow" is my legacy to the next Government, so that the country can continue, strengthen and complete its modernisation and reconstruction efforts in an environment of competitiveness, environmental and digital development and social justice.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Based on what I have said, I believe that over the last decade, thanks to boldness and determination and regardless of the political cost, we have taken the reform actions that society has demanded for decades, while implementing hundreds of national strategies and actions.
This project, like any major change, presented many challenges and difficulties, especially considering that the Government did not enjoy a parliamentary majority.
For this reason, I would like once again to thank both the parliamentary parties and especially the President of the Democratic Rally, Mr. Averof Neophytou, for the role he played in passing the reforms tabled in Parliament. At the same time, I would like to thank the social partners, but also the Cypriot people as a whole for their support and assistance in this unprecedented but necessary change in the structures of the State, which remained trapped in the mindsets of the newly established Republic of 1960.
Friends,
I am not claiming that no mistakes were committed in our governance or that there are no gaps, weaknesses and omissions or that it would have been possible and feasible to completely transform an entrenched, inflexible and outdated system of governance.
But we have dared, through structural changes and addressing chronic and systemic distortions and problems, to lay solid foundations towards further reconstruction of the State leading to the Cyprus of the new era.
At the same time, with a sense of responsibility we deliver the strategic planning as envisaged in the National Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow", which will lead to further restructuring, and modernization of the governance structures of the State that we have launched.
Thank you.
(PM/IC)
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