I am particularly moved by the feelings I have for you, my dear and beloved fellow citizens.
Today is my last festive address to you in my capacity as President of the Republic of Cyprus, the highest office of the country which you have twice given me the honourable mandate to serve.
A mandate which, with the trust, patience and perseverance you have shown, has enabled my Government to successfully deal with the crises we have been called upon to manage.
For this, and before any other mention, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you, and the unlimited gratitude and love I have for each and every one of you.
Dear fellow citizens,
Over the last decade we have experienced a series of economic and other crises.
With the assumption of power, we were faced with the imminent risk of national bankruptcy.
We boldly took painful decisions of responsibility that led, with your sacrifices, to a successful management, allowing the country to exit from the memorandum earlier than some had predicted, to show growth rates, to regain its investment grade, to reduce unemployment, to restore workers' rights, to strengthen the subsidy policy for the benefit of vulnerable groups.
The result of sound fiscal policy has been the restoration of the credibility of the Cypriot economy, public and private investment in and with projects that were decades overdue, but most importantly, the ability of the state to successfully deal with both the economic and health consequences and impacts of the pandemic that struck humanity in 2020.
Suffice it to say that to support businesses and workers, the government has allocated, from public funds, 3.5 billion. Thanks to the superhuman efforts of health workers, to whom I once again express our gratitude, and of course the introduction of the General Health Insurance Scheme, Cyprus is ranked second in the world in terms of the minimum number of deaths and among the most effective in dealing with the pandemic.
Unfortunately, the global health test was followed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and as a result, in addition to the inflationary trends caused by the pandemic, we have the negative economic impact of the sanctions justifiably imposed by the European Union and a host of other countries against Russia.
The result of this is the energy crisis, but also the consequent effects on many other sectors of the economy, with estimates predicting a recession instead of growth for the year we are welcoming.
Despite this and despite the negative economic consequences recorded on a global scale, our small country has managed to successfully manage them, recording growth rates of 6% for the year 2022, double the EU average, At the same time, the budget for 2023, despite increased development expenditure, shows surpluses, while unemployment, which is currently at 6.8% is expected to hover around the full employment rate in the next two years.
Dear friends,
I really feel particularly proud because at the end of my term of office I will deliver a state:
(a) Economically robust and strong.
(b) Effective in dealing with and protecting the vulnerable, with a guaranteed minimum income, a guaranteed minimum wage and pensions above the poverty line, and with a host of other measures we have established a true welfare state.
[C]
(c) A state that finally has an inclusive health care system for all.
(d) With a reorganized administrative structure through major reforms with digital transformation in full swing.
(e) A state that has a new system of justice but also rigorous mechanisms to fight corruption.
(f) With development projects that have regenerated and transformed all municipalities and communities.
(g) With a modern defence shield, with the highest spending in decades.
(h) With a multi-layered and credible foreign policy, upgrading, but also shielding our state entity, making our Cyprus a pillar of stability and peace for the region and beyond.
[H] With a multi-layered and credible foreign policy, upgrading, but also shielding our state entity, making our Cyprus a pillar of stability and peace for the region and beyond.
Compatriots,
Despite the fact that I have limited myself to the bare minimum, I would be remiss if I did not mention the legacy we leave as a Government, which is none other than the national plan "Cyprus-Tomorrow", a plan that foresees the implementation of 58 additional reform and 75 investment actions, with an economic impact beyond 4.4 billion euros and the consequent creation of thousands of new jobs.
Dear fellow citizens,
I would really be happier if with today's speech I spoke as the President of a reunited homeland, without occupation armies, guarantees and anachronistic intervention rights.
If I spoke as the President of a functioning State and fully in line with European principles and values, guaranteeing the human rights of all European citizens, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike.
Which would give the right to hope for progress and co-creation.
Which would not talk about north and south, but about the Federal Republic of Cyprus, with full respect for the rights of each of the communities, based on the resolutions and decisions of the United Nations.
Unfortunately, despite the determination, the creative proposals to address the concerns of each of the two communities, the efforts failed as a result of Turkish intransigence, as recorded at the historic Crans Montana Summit in June and July 2017.
And it is indeed with great regret that as I leave I record my disappointment at the failure to achieve one of the visions that led me to become actively involved in the political life of the country.
Compatriots,
With the advent of the New Year and despite the successes we have recorded, the challenges that the next Government will have to face will be the exogenous crises and the festering wound of the Cyprus problem, which is the result of Turkish intransigence.
With full modesty and with my long-standing presence in the political events of the country, I would again like to modestly advise my successor to the Presidency, as well as the political forces, whose patriotism I have never denied, including by transcending legitimate ideological differences, to work together with the sole aim of maintaining political and economic stability, and through a viable, functional and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem, to ensure the survival of Cypriot Hellenism, without ever ignoring the concerns of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots.
Dear fellow citizens,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart once again for the trust and love you have shown in me, wishing you all health and happiness for each and every one of you, with the expectation that the New Year will bring peace and hope to our country for a secure and safe future for all. Thank you.
__________________
Note: For the President's televised message click here.
(PM/EP/SX)
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