Strategic Dialogue with UK, immigration and supporting farmers on Cabinet agenda

President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, addressing the recent Cabinet meeting, referred to his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday, allowances to support the agricultural sector, immigration and other issues.

Addressing the members of the Cabinet at the beginning of the meeting on 11 December, President Christodoulides said that the British Prime Minister's visit on 10 December was "indeed historic after 53 years".

"The most important thing is the issues that were agreed upon," he said, noting that they want to place particular emphasis, "as we agreed yesterday (10 December), on the Strategic Dialogue that will take place next week in London, focusing on several issues that involve many Ministries." We must prepare appropriately so that specific results are achieved next week," he said.

The President also referred to investments, adding "we need to address it specifically, as there is huge potential that we must capitalise on." There is also the matter of education, he added and the issue of students, which is another matter the two agreed to look into on 10 December.

He also said that there is interest, as expressed in energy-related issues. "In defence and security, cooperation is increasing, but we agreed on pushing forward specific areas, such as corruption and health," said President Christodoulides.

Therefore, he continued, it is important, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is responsible and its Minister, to send proposals on the issues he referred to "so that we can achieve specific results."

Assisting Syrians who wish to leave Cyprus

Regarding immigration, President Christodoulides stated that "some (Syrians) have already left voluntarily."

"We have established a Committee, and there was also a teleconference with the new Commissioner for Migration to see how we can help those who wish to leave, always within the framework of international law," adding that some have already done so through Lebanon.

According to President Christodoulides, the agenda also includes "significant financial support from the state, around 19 million euro, for the primary sector, as part of our efforts to increase the share of the primary sector in the country's GDP, which is currently very low at 1.8%."

Support for Pyrgos Tyllirias and Polis Chrysochous

Referring to his visit last week to Pyrgos Tyllirias and Polis Chrysochous with members of the Cabinet, he said all Ministers had the opportunity to see firsthand the positive response and reception that the government proposals received.

He added that this would be done with all districts, as well as some regions which cover communities.

Financial assistance for agricultural sector

President Christodoulides said that the €17 million will go towards supporting the agricultural sector due to various challenges it faces, such as adverse weather conditions, drought, and other weather conditions.

"Subsidies are not the solution, but this is support to address these immediate challenges," he explained.

He also added that an additional two million euros will be provided as transitional national support for 2024, specifically for the goat and sheep farming sector, noting that "this is important as far as halloumi is concerned and the preservation of its PDO, which is one of our goals."

Strengthening EU health cooperation

He also said, "the Minister of Health will inform us about the initiative to purchase common medicines on behalf of the EU. I understand that a proposal was presented at the Council of Ministers on how to proceed. This is a sector where there is no strong acquis, but we saw, even during the COVID period, that there is a willingness among member states to strengthen cooperation," he noted.

Pension reform getting underway

President Christodoulides also added that, that day, "the official effort begins" regarding the reform of the pension system, which is also part of his campaign programme.

He noted that the relevant Ministerial Committee would be established that same day, with the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Finance, the Deputy Minister to the President, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, the Commissioner for Gender Equality, and the Commissioner for the Citizen.

"It is important to adhere to the timelines, to engage in consultation with social partners and political parties, as well as public consultation, and to proceed as promised," he concluded.

(Source: CNA)