Cyprus solution can contribute to the country`s economic recovery, President says
The solution of the Cyprus problem can contribute in a revolutionary, drastic and immediate way to the reconstruction of the economy of the country, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has said, expressing at the same time his determination to work in a consistent manner for a solution.
Speaking at the General Assembly of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held here today, President Anastasiades said that this might become possible “if our Turkish Cypriot compatriots and Turkey decide that the time has come to find a solution, through an sincere, substantive and mutually respectful dialogue”.
A solution, he added, “which will lead to the withdrawal of the occupation troops and the burdens caused by the 1974 catastrophe, which will reunite the country and will safeguard human rights and the values and principles that Europe represents, that would allow for the free movement of people and capital, in order to create prospects for stability and cooperation.”
The President pointed out that “what is required is boldness and courage. We should leave blame games aside. It is not in any way my intention to start blaming who is more responsible, whether it’s the Turkish Cypriots or Ankara. What is required is for all of us to look forward. If we manage that, then there are prospects and hope for our homeland.”
President Anastasiades expressed his determination “to work in a consistent manner for a solution that will safeguard a common homeland for everybody, with one and single international personality, one and single sovereignty and one and single citizenship”.
“If all these are understood, if Mr. Eroglu and all those who influence him realize that at last they must contribute, in their own way, to all these that are principles based on the UN resolutions, then I am confident that we can cover a lot of ground toward the solution that is being sought” he added.
In addition, he said that “the natural gas reserves found in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus “can be the incentive for everyone (with regard to a solution to the Cyprus problem) because after a solution is found, the beneficiaries will be the legitimate citizens of this country, always of course in accordance to the population ratio.”
On the economy, President Anastasiades said, inter alia, that the major lifting of restrictions in capital movement has taken place, adding that the Government has launched a campaign to attract foreign investments in Cyprus.
The President expressed “satisfaction for the recent announcement by the President of the European Investment Bank with regard to the two funding programs for Cyprus”.
As he noted, “the first concerns the grant of 150 million euro to Cyprus from the EIB for boosting the external trade of Cyprus. The second concerns the approval of a loan of 100 million euro to the Republic of Cyprus for the setting up of a Business Fund, which will be financing small and medium sized businesses”.
“The signing of these agreements will take place mid-December and the Fund will start operating by the end of March”, he added.
Moreover, he said that “the scope of the economic recession will be less than was expected, at least for 2013.”
He also stressed that “only through the strict implementation of the Memorandum will we be able to regain the trust of foreign investors and also of the Cypriots themselves, for the Cypriot economy,” and added that “the full recapitalization of the Hellenic Bank with the contribution of foreign investors and the start of the restructuring of Cooperative Banks, as well as the restructuring plan of the Bank of Cyprus with a permanent Board and a new CEO have already been achieved.”
President Anastasiades said that “we do everything necessary in order to restart the economy, to reform and modernize the state, and to bring Cyprus back on the course of growth”.
President stressed that in order to achieve the restart of the economy, the Government have promoted a series of measures.
He also referred to the agreement with Kuwait for the lifting of current restrictions on the visits by Kuwaiti citizens to Cyprus and the establishment of direct flights between the two countries.”
The President said that “attracting foreign investments is a high priority of the Cypriot Government. Cyprus is and can remain an excellent investment destination due to its favorable taxation system, the high quality of services and its excellent work force.”
He also underlined the geostrategic importance of Cyprus as a factor for stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean region, something that is acknowledged by the major world powers, as he said.
In conclusion, he said that the Government and he personally have launched a campaign to attract foreign investments that would contribute greatly to the liquidity of the Cypriot market.
