The priority of the Government is to improve the daily lives of citizens, stated the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, today.
In his statements to journalists, attending the event for the signing ceremony of memoranda for the launch of the nationwide expansion of the Neighbourhood Social Worker, and when asked about measures against inflation that the Government will take in the upcoming Council of Ministers meeting, the President of the Republic said:
“This Government has proven from day one, through actions and not words, that it has only one priority, the improvement of the citizen’s daily life.
It is precisely within this framework that we have presented two packages of measures beyond the 196 million of the first, beyond the 60 million of the second.
At the same time (we operate) through a holistic approach because it is not only the packages announced by the Government – let me remind you of the CoLA where thousands of our compatriots benefited, let me remind you of the increase in the minimum wage, let me remind you within the framework of our holistic approach of plans on electricity, energy issues, as they largely originate the increases, the inflation we have to face, the photovoltaic plan for everyone, and many other plans.
And precisely within this framework, today we will announce more measures, some horizontal, some targeted.
Our priority is to announce targeted measures precisely to address those compatriots who face the most challenges, and the issue of inflation.
At the same time, and because we are in an election period, I hear many unfounded promises. I want to remind the Cypriot people that these unfounded promises, when followed by some, led this country to its second greatest disaster after the Turkish invasion of 1974.
Let me remind you what happened in 2012 in this country, and we, as a responsible Government, are accountable only to the Cypriot people; we will not be swayed by policies that will endanger this country again.
Inflation is a fact, we know very well, we know where inflation is observed the most, where the challenges are greater, and it is only through a holistic approach that we follow (like) measures to increase earnings, with the issue of electricity, which we will address this issue comprehensively.”
Asked if the reduced fuel tax might remain, the President of the Republic said, “We have a Council of Ministers meeting shortly; we await the discussion that will take place. I repeat, some measures will be targeted and some will be horizontal.”
Asked about the Government’s proposal for multiple pensions with their abolition and an increase in the gratuity, the President of the Republic said:
“I believe that this Government is the first to dare to touch upon an issue that has been discussed for so long but no one dared to touch.
The Government put forth a proposal, and we have called for consultation to reach a formula to address this problem which, I reiterate, has been here for so many years, and for the first time, a Government touches on this issue.
We have a proposal on the table; come to discuss. That’s why we called for consultation precisely to arrive at something that is correct, something that will pass through the House of Representatives. I repeat, statements about this issue have been made for many, many years; no one dared to put forth a proposal. We put forth a proposal.
If some disagree, there is no problem. Within the framework of democracy, of consultation, let’s come to discuss, to arrive at something that will pass through the House of Representatives and will satisfy the Cypriot society.”
Asked if there are any updates regarding the maritime corridor for humanitarian aid to Gaza, the President of the Republic said:
“I have been informed very specifically by the officials of the U.S. military when I recently had a meeting about creating the port there. The target is May 1st, but according to the information I received, it seems that there might be a conclusion much earlier, and it is something that will help increase even more humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
