Nicosia: President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides has outlined the government’s actions aiming to modernise the state addressing the Cabinet on Wednesday morning, at the Presidential Palace, stressing the importance of reforms going ahead.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Christodoulides discussed the recent meeting with the Fiscal Council on pensions reform, highlighting that the last significant overhaul of the pensions system occurred in 1980. He also noted that public consultation on tax reform is wrapping up, while discussions are beginning in the House of Representatives on reforms to the Law Office and the Audit Office.
The President emphasized the government’s commitment to modernising the state, established in 1960, through substantial reforms. These include digitisation, reducing bureaucracy, automatic voter registration, lowering the voting age to 17, education reform, and the implementation of a national sanctions unit.
Christodoulides acknowledged that reforms often face opposition but stressed that the government’s main criterion for promoting significant reforms, such as the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), is to benefit citizens. He urged Cabinet members to intensify their efforts, emphasizing the importance of progress.
The President also expressed satisfaction with the EU’s approval of over one billion euros from the SAFE programme for Cyprus, which will support the Republic’s deterrent capabilities. He mentioned ongoing consultations with the US government for participation in American programmes and urged National Guard members to evaluate potential offerings from the US.
Additionally, Christodoulides highlighted the European Investment Bank’s new approach to include defence in its lending policy, marking it as a priority area for further development.