At the end of the session of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament, the Minister of Justice and Public Order Mrs.Stefi Drakou said:
"To fight corruption, first of all you need a proper and comprehensive legislative framework.
After my consultations with stakeholders and political forces, three serious and comprehensive bills are before the Parliament today, which, in my opinion, constitute an institutional breakthrough in the Cypriot context.
The first one concerns the establishment of an Independent Authority against Corruption.
The first one concerns the establishment of an Independent Authority against Corruption. A comprehensive bill based on international standards that has been shaped through improvements and extensive dialogue and goodwill between political forces and stakeholders.
The Parliament has before it a bill that creates an Independent Authority with its own budget that has the powers to carry out important work. And it will carry out important work once the bills are passed and it starts operating.
Let me remind you that its passage is linked to the Recovery and Resilience Plan with a budget of €4.76 million and many of its actions stemming from its powers are supported by additional European funds of €780,000."
The Minister indicated the Ministry's readiness to take a position on the amendments the parties have when they are notified.
Although the political parties have indicated that there is no intention to delay the Bill, the Minister expressed concern that the amendments will not delay the passage of the Bill, but will improve and strengthen it.
As the Minister stated:
"I will remain available to the parties so that any concerns, to the extent that it is right and acceptable, can be addressed.
What I do not want, and I will make every effort, to do is to ensure that no deadlocks are created that will delay the Bill.
In addition, I should say that this Bill is flanked by two other Bills.
The bill that protects those who give information and it is a powerful bill that gives protection to all those who give evidence."
The Minister particularly thanked the Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, Mr. Tornaritis, for his enormous contribution to the completion of the bill. She also thanked Ms. Charalambidou, who had important suggestions that have been adopted by the Bill, the Legal Service and all stakeholders and political forces.
The political parties through their representatives on the Legal Committee have indicated that they will not be tabling any amendments. Therefore, the Minister is optimistic that there will be no delay in this bill.
The Minister went on to say. It is being taken up by the Parliamentary Institutions Committee and I believe and I am optimistic that some concerns expressed in the article debate will be overcome at the next meeting of this Committee.
The passage of all three bills is essential for the proper functioning of the Authority.
It is essential that these three bills proceed quickly because they provide a strong framework and are in the right direction and fight corruption.
Without them, the desired result cannot be achieved.
This is the first step that must be taken in order to move in the right path and the right direction."
(MΓ)
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