The new Council of Ministers sworn – in on Thursday during a ceremony that took place in the Presidential Palace before the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.
In his speech at the ceremony, President Anastasiades said that he selected the new members of his Cabinet based on their professionalism, scientific background, credibility, ethos and their will to work for the benefit of Cyprus and its people.
I expect, the President stressed, the widest possible cooperation and consultation with all the political forces, regardless of political or ideological positions, the same cooperation I expect with organized social groups and trade unions in order to meet the expectations of the people of Cyprus.
He added that in the next five years the government must continue its work to implement a series of measures, and he referred to the implementation of the national health system, the modernisation of the public service, the welfare state, the education system.
The President also stressed that the government remains committed to the principles of meritocracy and transparency and pledged that there will be zero tolerance of any corruption or abuse of power or discrimination against any citizen.
Concluding, President Anastasiades congratulated the new Cabinet, saying that you are all well-known personalities in society and I have no doubt that through cooperation with all the involved parties we will perform the difficult task assigned to us by the Cypriot people`.
Replying on behalf of all members of the Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides assured the President that the new Cabinet is well aware of the responsibilities and work that awaits them and pledged that they will do their utmost to complete the great work that began five years ago.
The new Council of Ministers is as follows:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides, Minister of Finance Harris Georgiades, Minister of Interior Konstantinos Petrides, Minister of Defence Savvas Aggelides, Minister of Education and Culture Kostas Hampiaouris, Minister of Transport, Communication and Works, Vasiliki Anastasiadou, Minister of Energy, Industry, Commerce and Tourism Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Kostas Kadis, Minister of Employment Zeta Emilianidou, Minister of Health Konstantinos Ioannou, Minister of Justice and Public Order Ionas Nicolaou.
Also, during today’s ceremony the official appointment ceremony of other government officials took place. These are: Deputy Minister of Shipping Natasa Pilidou, Deputy Minister to the President Vasilis Palmas, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou, Deputy Government Spokeswoman Klelia Vasiliou, Director of the President`s Office Petros Demetriou, Presidential Commissioner Fotis Fotiou, Environment Commissioner Ioanna Panayiotou, Volunteerism Commissioner Yiannis Yiannaki, Commissioner for Gender Equality, Iosifina Antoniou.