[PIO] The President of the Republic chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers

The President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Christodoulides chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Presidential Palace today: "The Council of Ministers today approved a proposal by the Ministry of Finance to conclude a loan agreement of up to €108 million with the European Investment Bank to finance the construction of student residences and the renovation of various academic and research facilities of the CUT in Limassol and Paphos.

Another EUR 53 million will be paid by the State for these projects.

In the context of its policy to address the serious housing problem, especially for young people, the Government considers the implementation of the above projects very important. The ever-increasing demand for Cypriot universities by Cypriot and international students makes it even more imperative to build student halls of residence as early as possible. A total of 703 student beds will be built, of which 500 will be in Limassol and the rest in Paphos. These will improve students' access to high quality higher education and research services, as well as affordable housing.

In addition to contributing to the promotion of affordable student accommodation and the enhancement of education and research, this project will also provide the opportunity to create new jobs and increase productivity in these areas.

The planned projects of the CUT, with a total estimated cost of €178 million, will be implemented by two entities.

The planned CUT projects, with a total estimated cost of €178 million, will be implemented by two entities. CEPAK will be the implementing agency for the projects in Limassol and the Municipality of Paphos will be the implementing agency for the projects in Paphos.

The Council of Ministers approved the Specific Criteria for Projects implemented by the Central Entity for Equal Burden Sharing, for more refugees to have access to funding projects on the basis of specific projects such as:

1. Scheme for Loan Concession for Studies
2. Scheme for Housing Purposes
3. Scheme for Vocational Purposes
4. Scheme for Loan Concession for Medical Care
5. Scheme for Purchase of Household Appliances with or without Kitchen Renovation
6. Scheme for Energy Upgrading in Existing Dwellings
7. Scheme for Housing Loan Interest Rate Subsidy
8. Scheme for Business Loan Interest Rate Subsidy

These decisions are part of the Government's housing policy and, certainly in conjunction with the refugee policy."

Antoniou added: "The Council of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Ministry of Education to set a permissible number of admission of third-country students in each of the 21 Private Schools of Higher Education, which have a high number of third-country students in the academic year 2024-2025. In particular, third-country students and students from Council of Europe countries will be allowed to enrol in the Schools, regardless of the existing restrictions.

The new regulation will only apply for the next academic year and provides for a strict procedure and conditions in order to serve the policy of attracting students, but at the same time to ensure the strict provisions of the Republic's policy in relation to immigration.

The new regulation will only apply for the next academic year and provides for a strict procedure and conditions to serve the policy of attracting students, but at the same time to ensure the strict provisions of the Republic's policy in relation to immigration."

He also said. Of the 103 persons appointed to the Semi-governmental Organisations, the Commission has identified professional incompatibility for two members, who will be replaced as soon as possible.

The Government will adopt the Commission's positions and proceed with the appointment of two members in the coming days. The Government remains committed to implementing the policy of transparency, good administration and meritocracy. We note the fact that for the first time there has been a rigorous preliminary check by the Government for any incompatibility before appointments were made, which is confirmed by the fact that out of the 103 appointees there were only two cases."

Asked about this, Mr. Antoniou said that the amounts mentioned for the housing issue are budgeted and foreseen in the budget and, consequently, the government always moves within the framework of the state's budgetary possibilities.

In addition, asked to comment on statements made by the Government Spokesman of Greece on the United Nations (UN) plan for the Cyprus problem, Antoniou said: "It is not a plan, it has been clarified that the Greek Government Representative is referring to the next steps of the United Nations (UN). We are also waiting for the decisions of the Secretary General (SG) on how the process will proceed. This is a misinterpretation, it is not about a UN plan, but about the UN's planning for the next steps in relation to the Secretary-General's initiative for the next step in the Cyprus problem.

For us the important thing is that the conditions for the basis for a solution are met and always under the framework and under the auspices of the UN."

(PM/AF/MS)
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