Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT TWO YEARS ADMINISTRATION

[01] PRESIDENT TWO YEARS ADMINISTRATION

Members of the Cyprus government have voluntarily accepted the reduction of their earnings by 10%, as a gesture aiming to boost the economy of the island, by trimming state spending.

The decision was announced here on Monday by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, who gave a press conference on the two years of administration. Christofias said that a 10 percent reduction in annual earnings would be applicable to the President, the cabinet, the Undersecretary to the President, the Government Spokesman, the Presidential Commissioner and the Presidents Office Director.

He noted that the 10 percent cut would be calculated on annual earnings from salaries and other benefits.

Christofias expressed hope that the example will be followed by other officials as the House President and the MPs.

Christofias said that the work of his government so far has been remarkable, especially under the adverse conditions due to the world financial crisis and assured that we will all together face the challenges, with seriousness and collectedness, and we are determined to succeed and we will succeed, he added.

He also noted that 2010 will be a difficult year as 2009 was, noting that the government is fully aware of the difficult situation and is sharing the peoples worries, but has the knowledge, experience, determination and capability to tackle this crisis. Moreover, he said that the government aims at making Cyprus a regional education center and a center for the provision of health services, as well as a center of foreign investments.

He added that we are further strengthening the relations of the Republic of Cyprus with the countries of the Middle East and the Arab World, as well as with major financial powers as Russia and China.

Christofias noted that the government implemented on time a series of measures to reduce the repercussions from the crisis and is ready to take more measures.

He said that these measures amounting to 500 million euro targeted at maintaining the growth of the economy and had to do mainly with constructions and tourism sector.

The President said that Cyprus has lost a billion euro among others due to the reduction of tourist arrivals and the reduction of consumption.

He noted that the goal of the government is that by the end of his term in office the public service will not become more numerous and cost more.

Christofias noted that Cypruss public debit and external debt are among the lowest in the Eurozone. As he noted, public debt reached 55% of the GDP while the Eurozone average reached 61.5% of the GDP in 2008 and in 2009 is expected to reach 73%. Christofias also stressed that ``we will not introduce new taxes, but there are some things which the EU imposes,`` for example VAT on certain basic goods.

The President also said that the employees must not be the ones to shoulder the burden of the financial crisis but everyone the government, the employers and part of the employees- will have to take over their responsibilities.

As regards development projects implemented by the government, Christofias said that minor and major projects have been concluded or are under way, referring to the construction of roads, schools, and the replacement of irrigation systems.

He added that major projects as highways and marines in Limassol, Ayia Napa and Paphos are underway.

Christofias also noted that projects funded by EU funds have been implemented by 100%, absorbing 113,500,000 euro, adding that the cost of the projects for the new period until 2013 amounts to 1 billion euro.

With regard to energy consumption, Christofias said that the implementation of the relevant National Action Plan continued aiming at saving energy by 10% during the period 2008-2016.

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