Dear compatriots,
We are at the end of another year of trials, as the pandemic that has struck humanity continues to threaten life and health, the economic survival and well-being of citizens, health systems and the fiscal stability of countries.
At this moment my thoughts turn to the families who have lost their loved ones, to the children who have been orphaned, to those who have lost their support.
My thoughts still turn to those who are hospitalised or ill. From the bottom of my heart, I wish each and every one of them a speedy recovery, but I also wish faith, strength and courage to those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
At the same time, the feelings of love and gratitude of the state, and of myself, are directed towards the frontline professionals, those who, far from their families, are struggling with their visible dangers to save lives, to provide healing, to give courage and strength to those in need of the "oxygen" of love.
The State and the whole of society, I want to repeat, are grateful and thankful to you.
Fellow countrymen and women,
The dawn of the New Year finds us, unfortunately, confronted with a new dangerous and sweeping outbreak of the pandemic.
The comforting and hopeful thing is that this time we are not unarmed and we are not talking about the invisible enemy.
Thanks to human intelligence, thanks to science, today we can effectively deal with the threats, protect and protect ourselves from the dangers of the pandemic.
The Republic of Cyprus, in a coordinated manner and with the help and sacrifices of the overwhelming majority of its citizens, has managed to rank among the countries that excelled both in successfully dealing with the disease and in managing the economic consequences of the emergency restrictive measures taken.
Dear friends,
The new pandemic wave is sweeping one country after another around the world, with the result that severe restrictive measures are unfortunately being reintroduced, with undesirable consequences for everyone.
Cyprus cannot be an exception, but it can - and I emphasise this - once again be a successful example of how to deal with and manage the crisis.
What is required is individual and collective responsibility, a sense of social solidarity, an act of responsibility that can be manifested through the use of the scientific potential that the state generously offers.
That is why I appeal to each and every one of you: respond to the instructions of our distinguished scientists. Follow the vaccination programme and strictly observe the protection protocols.
The protection of life and the hope of safeguarding individual freedoms is the right and duty of all of us.
Fellow countrymen and women,
While attention may be focused on the current crisis caused by the pandemic, we cannot be distracted from the major problems facing our country.
Unfortunately, another year has passed without any progress in our determined efforts to end the occupation and reunify our homeland.
The informal conference in Geneva in April and the joint meeting of the two leaders with the Secretary General. in September, did not lead to an end to the deadlock, and they did not lead because the written proposals of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey formalized and formalized the long-standing objectives which are none other than the definitive partition of Cyprus, and the creation of a fully controlled, independent in quotes, Turkish Cypriot state.
The recent publication of the minutes of the H.UN's recent publication of what transpired in Crans Montana in July 2017, as well as their confirmation by the Turkish Foreign Minister in his speech to the Turkish National Assembly as recently as December 13, not only refute the various narratives to the contrary, but also prove where the occasional deadlocks in the long-standing Cyprus settlement negotiations were due to.
Compatriots,
Despite Turkey's unacceptable claims and what is recorded in violation of United Nations resolutions either in the occupied territory or through the questioning of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in the sea, I want to assure you that our determination, but also our perseverance, to find a workable and viable solution that will reunite our country and free it from the occupying army or any dependence on third countries will not be undermined.
Our multidimensional foreign policy is also part of this direction, making use of the opportunities offered by the European Union, maintaining ties with traditionally friendly countries, the strategic partnerships we are developing with all the countries of the region and with new transatlantic friends.
The aim is the international armouring of the Republic of Cyprus, but also the creation of conditions for the resumption of a creative dialogue that will lead us to a permanent solution, always on the basis of the Summit Agreements and the resolutions and decisions of the United Nations, but also on the basis of the European acquis. A solution that meets the aspirations and concerns of both communities.
Friends,
The new year will be the last of my presidential term.
A year that I want to be as bold in decisions, but equally creative and beneficial for our people and our country.
My goal is to complete a series of reforms that will lay the foundations for the Cyprus of tomorrow.
My goal is to complete a series of reforms that will lay the foundations for the Cyprus of tomorrow.
Reforms that include, among others, the modernization of the judicial system, the Civil Service, the Local Government, the further promotion of digital transformation, the enactment of a series of laws that will ensure transparency, accountability and a more effective fight against corruption.
It will be a year to strengthen fiscal stability, to shield the General Health System, but also to complete policies that will guarantee the welfare state we have built.
The new year will be a year of further development of our energy programme, as well as the completion or foundation of major development and flagship projects that will ensure a better quality of life for our citizens.
The above objectives are not ideological.
They are projects and policies that are in the interest of the whole. They are objectives that we share with the political forces, which is why I believe that in this great effort I will have their unanimous support.
Fellow countrymen,
I am optimistic. I am optimistic that despite the trials we have gone through and are going through, the New Year will be a year of creation and hope. This is guaranteed by the determination, will and stubbornness that distinguishes us as a people.
Happy Birthday.
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