President Nikos Christodoulides called on the new members of his Cabinet to place the public interest above all else as they formally took office on Thursday.

Speaking at their affirmation ceremony, he urged them to work with dedication, listen directly to citizens and deliver practical solutions, while continuing the work begun by their predecessors.

Ministers told to maintain direct contact with citizens

Christodoulides called on the new Cabinet members to familiarise themselves quickly with their portfolios, review outstanding matters and make full use of the experience of their predecessors, senior officials and civil servants.

He said they should maintain constructive cooperation with all state institutions, including the legislative and judicial branches, political parties, social partners, professional bodies and other affected groups.

“My wish is for you to have direct and personal contact with citizens, reaching even the most remote village, to see and listen to them, understand their concerns and do whatever is required so that, as a government, we find solutions to problems and advance requests that are fair, justified and achievable,” he said.

The president urged them to work tirelessly so that, when the time comes for a final assessment of their performance, they will have met the expectations of the public.

“The Republic of Cyprus is our ark, with a clear European and Western orientation,” Christodoulides said, adding that the government’s objective was the prosperity, progress and security of the country and its people.

Government’s five main priorities

Christodoulides said he was confident that the new Cabinet members would work methodically and effectively to implement the government programme.

Its five central priorities, he said, are resolving the Cyprus problem; maintaining strong defence and security; pursuing an outward-looking foreign policy with a European and Western orientation; building a strong and resilient economy; and modernising the state through continuous reforms.

He also cited transparency, accountability, the fight against corruption and improvements to citizens’ daily lives through sustained investment as central elements of the administration’s work.

President reviews government record

The president referred to measures introduced during the government’s three and a half years in office in health, education, housing and social welfare.

He also highlighted tax reform, the recent decision concerning vocational education, training, employment and care for adults with disabilities, and the forthcoming reform of the pension system.

Other areas mentioned included the continued digitisation of public services, the modernisation of institutions, the removal of bureaucratic procedures and the government’s management of migration.

Christodoulides said the deterrent capability of the National Guard was being strengthened and military infrastructure upgraded. He also pointed to diplomatic initiatives which, he said, had expanded Cyprus’ international presence and reinforced its position as a reliable partner, a pillar of stability and a bridge between Europe and the wider region.

Cautious optimism over Cyprus talks

Turning to the Cyprus problem, Christodoulides said developments in recent months had vindicated the government’s efforts to secure the resumption of negotiations within the agreed framework and from where talks ended at Crans-Montana.

He referred in particular to the first visit to Cyprus in 16 years by the United Nations secretary-general and the presence of the European Commission’s envoy for the Cyprus issue.

The president said any renewed process must respect the body of work already achieved in the negotiations, as well as the principles, values and law of the European Union.

“Despite the problems, challenges and difficulties, the results so far allow us to be cautiously optimistic that, yes, it is possible to travel the final mile that will lead us to the end of the occupation and liberation,” he said.

Tribute to departing Cabinet members

Christodoulides thanked the outgoing ministers for their contribution and their work in implementing the government programme.

He described former Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades as consistently willing and dedicated, saying he was “one of the few people who would stand in front of me to take the bullet”.

He praised former Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou for confronting difficult challenges with hard work and a smile, and described former Deputy Culture Minister Lina Kassianidou as energetic and present at every event he attended.

“They contributed knowledge, put in the effort and gave their best, always working with integrity and dedication, often under difficult circumstances,” he said.

Senekis pledges to honour government programme

Responding on behalf of the new Cabinet members, Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis thanked the president for what he described as the highest honour.

He said their appointment carried a major responsibility towards the country, the institutions of the Republic of Cyprus and, above all, citizens who expect effectiveness, consistency and accountability from the state.

“It is also a responsibility towards your government programme, which constitutes this government’s social contract with the Cypriot people,” Senekis said. “We are obliged to honour that contract, and we will honour it to the end.”

He said the new members were fully aware of the challenges facing the country, the particular demands of each portfolio and the high expectations of both the public and the president.

“Our sole ambition and expectation is that, when our time in the high office entrusted to us today comes to an end, we will have responded to the greatest possible extent to citizens’ expectations and left a meaningful, positive mark on the country and your administration,” he said.

Source: CNA.

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