Britain and Cyprus have signed a Service Level Agreement to continue co-operation on efforts to reform Cyprus’ public sector.
According to an announcement, issued by the British High Commission in Cyprus, the High Commissioner Ric Todd together with the Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Petrides and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Christos Patsalides, welcomed the experts from various Departments in the UK and the National School of Government International and Cyprus’ officials involved in the Public Sector Reform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Defence and Energy Commerce Industry and Tourism,
In his address at a reception celebrating the 2nd year of a successful co-operation on public sector reform and strengthened bilateral relations the British High Commissioner expressed the UK readiness to continue supporting you Cyprus.
The High Commissioner added that the success of the bilateral co-operation in the area of reform is reflected on the fact that we have just signed a Service Level Agreement to continue our work together with the National School of Government for the review of the Ministry of Energy Commerce Industry and Tourism.
“However vital, we know from experience that reform is not easy; the UK went through major reforms and every year there is something more we undertake to do. It needs political will at the top and engagement throughout the machine. I know that all of you who are here today have a key role to play and I commend you for that”, the High Commissioner said.
Noting that Cyprus has gone a long way in the last couple of years, the High Commissioner concluded that “we as British High Commission and as the UK government respect you for all the efforts and we stand ready to continue supporting you as much as you would like us to”.