-
.
- Ελληνικά
Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letibiotis answered journalists' questions during his briefing to the media today at the Presidential Palace.
Asked about the issue concerning AHK's intention to impose a 6% surcharge on the cost of electricity, the Spokesman said: "As a Government we recognise the consequences of the successive crises that are also reflected in the energy accuracy that the Cypriot consumer has to pay, and it is for this reason that both in the measures that have been taken and in the measures that are being evaluated, addressing energy accuracy is in the main pillars.
We should await the meeting of the Board of Directors of AHK. There have been statements from the President of AHK as to the intention of AHK, but we should await any announcements."
He added: "What we as a Government have conveyed and what is our view is that we should, to the extent that AHK's procedures allow, not pass on additional costs for electricity to consumers at this time."
Asked if there was any news about the Turkish Cypriot lawyer arrested in Italy, the Spokesman said: "He has arrived in Cyprus at dawn today, he has gone to the offices of the CID at the Police Headquarters and has given a statement and subsequently his file has gone to the Legal Service and then to the Nicosia District Court. Just recently a decision has been made to release him on condition that he appears before the court twice a month and the next court date has been set for February. It follows that he is subject to the conditions imposed by the court to appear at the police station on certain dates."
Asked to comment on criticisms on the issue of Local Government Reform, the Spokesman said that reservations have been expressed as to the viability that the legislature has come up with, adding: "But we, as the executive, have been called upon from day one to effectively implement this reform. We are making every effort, we are working, the Ministry of Interior is making intensive efforts to implement it as effectively as possible. What is important is to make the transition as smooth as possible for the benefit of Cypriot citizens."
He added that it is not the government, it is the taxpayer who will be asked to cover any needs, and that "this is an issue that we have also raised. What is paramount is the efficiency and viability of the municipalities and to have the necessary time after the implementation of the reform, where weaknesses are identified, to take corrective measures in a timely manner."
Asked whether the Government was concerned about the result of the public opinion survey regarding the popularity of the President of the Republic and the popularity of the Audit Service compared to that of the Legal Service, the Spokesman said: "The election period and the presidential election for us ended a year ago. We are focused on the substance and the substance cannot be other than solving the problems that society faces every day. We are in daily contact with society, we listen to the problems of society and public opinion. The great advantage of this governance is that we can continue unhindered in the implementation of projects, regardless of the forthcoming elections, because this is exactly what society demands and expects from the Government and the President of the Republic. Besides, just a few weeks ago, the President of the Republic announced more than 80 actions that in 2024 we will be called upon to implement - and we will implement them - and we are in full coordination every day as regards the implementation of the Government's work."
Asked how close the Government is to filing a bill in Parliament to separate the attributes of the Attorney General, the Spokesman said: "The President, during the annual planning for 2024, has included the preparation of a bill on the part of the Government for the modernisation of the Legal and Audit Service and these are bills that will be prepared by the executive within the year to be forwarded to the legislature."
Asked about the housing issue and the Government's plans, the Representative said it is one of the main problems, if not the main problem, especially among our young people and that is why the Ministry of Interior has presented the comprehensive housing policy to alleviate the housing problem, especially in Limassol and Nicosia districts
He added: "The programmes have already been implemented. It is the largest housing policy in terms of intensity, scope and measures ever conducted in our country and we believe that through these steps and by increasing the housing stock, several issues will begin to be addressed. There are no magic wands to be resolved overnight."
Asked about the situation in the Central Prisons and what is coming to light, the Spokesman said: "These are issues well known in the public sphere. Decisions have been taken, some of which take time to be implemented. They are matters for the attention of the Government and the Police. All these should be resolved once and for all, especially the worrying things we are seeing."
(PM/NG/EATH)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source[/P][/URL][/P][/URL]
