Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-06-13

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS - NEW MINISTERS

[02] IAVOVOU - TURKEY - EU

[01] CYPRUS - NEW MINISTERS

Speaking after the ceremony, President Papadopoulos said he decided to reshuffle his government in an effort to renew the government dynamic and to speed up efforts to implement priorities and commitments in general which the government has undertaken.

He said the outgoing Ministers meticulously carried out their duties and contributed with effectiveness in the joint effort to promote and achieve the goals of the government.

He also noted that the new Ministers as well as those which remain at their posts must always remember and never forget that they are Ministers in a semi-occupied country, which wants vindication.

Furthermore, the President noted that the most important goal is to defend democracy and reunite the people and the country though a functional and viable solution of our national issue.

Every Minister is not just a servant of the interests of the society, but a defender of the rights of our struggling homeland, he said.

The ceremony took place in the presence of House President Demetris Christofias, the Ministers who kept their portfolios, Undersecretary to the President Christodoulos Pasiardes and the spouses of the new Ministers.

Replying to the President on behalf of the new Ministers, Defence Minister Phivos Klokkaris thanked President Papadopoulos for the honour of appointing them as members of the Cabinet and assured him that they will spare no effort to implement the government programme in a functional and effective way for the benefit of the country.

We are fully aware of the burden of the responsibilities which derive with these duties and we are fully aware that our country is going though a rather difficult period, with Turkey maintaining an offensive stance towards us, Klokkaris said stressing the need to implement the government programme in a functional and effective way.

The seven new Ministers of the 11-member cabinet, who gave the prescribed affirmation during the ceremony are George Lillikas, who moves to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Antonis Michaelides, who takes over the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Phivos Klokaris, who assumes the portfolio of the Minister of Defence, Photis Photiou, who takes over the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Sofoclis Sofocleous, who takes over the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Antonis Vassiliou, who assumes the portfolio of the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, and Charis Charalambous, who takes over the Ministry of Health.

Only four Ministers kept their portfolios as part of a major government reshuffle that followed the parliamentary elections in Cyprus.

They are Andreas Christou, Minister of the Interior, Michalis Sarris, Minister of Finance, Pefkios Georgiades, Minister of Education and Culture, and Charis Thrasou, Minister of Communications and Works.

Christodoulos Pashiardis has been named Government Spokesman, in addition to his duties as Presidential Undersecretary.

Soon after the ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the new Ministers took over their respective offices from the outgoing Ministers, with the exception of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Outgoing Minister George Iacovou returned from Luxembourg this afternoon.

Doros Theodorou handed over the Ministry of Justice and Public Order to Sofocleous last Friday, as Theodorou had to travel abroad.

[02] IAVOVOU - TURKEY - EU

Iacovou returned from Luxembourg, where the EU Foreign Ministers agreed on the opening of the chapter of ``science and research`` with Turkey.

Iacovou hands over the ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday after President Tassos Papadopoulos reshuffled the government last week, replacing him with former Minister of Commerce George Lillikas who was sworn in Foreign Minister Tuesday morning.

``We clearly stated that we have the right to demand from our partners to include the realities of Turkey`s EU course and the reality is one; since October 3, 2005 Turkey not only failed to comply with its obligations towards the EU, but provocatively says that it will not do so,`` Iacovou said replying to questions.

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