AKEL ON THE UPDATED MEMORANDUM

 

Statement by Stavros Evagorou, Deputy Parliamentary Spokesman of AKEL – Left – New Forces Parliamentary Group

 

The updated Memorandum in essence represents a new agreement between the Government and the Troika, given that on a number of important issues the Government of Cyprus has proceeded to make additional concessions to the Troika.

 

The Troika’s visit to Cyprus, as well as every other subsequent evaluation to follow, will lead to the setting out of specific measures that will have to be implemented until the disbursement of the next instalment, tying extortionately the implementation of new provisions of the Memorandum with the release of every instalment.

 

The new provisions of the Memorandum are as follows:

 

• The blackmail – demand for the approval of a plan for privatisations before the disbursement of the next instalment is introduced.

 

• Any legislation aiming to alleviate the people from the high interest rates is prohibited.

 

• The goal of abolishing any legislative effort to protect citizens from the confiscation of houses and immovable property is targeted.

 

• The beginning of the procedure for the confiscation of real estate will be accelerated.

 

• The lifting of restrictions on transactions, given that a prior study is conducted and despite Mr. Anastasiades’ promises to the contrary to remove them by the end of the year, are suspended for a later stage.

 

• The fatal blow to Cyprus Airways is given, since any additional financial aid is prohibited.

 

• Stricter fiscal frameworks with the registering of new cuts in pensions and benefits included in the 2014 budget are set out.

 

• In the social sector, as a result of the government’s decision for 20% cut in the 2014 Budget, a review of the criteria and amounts for all social benefits will be conducted, thus victimizing the vulnerable groups of the population.

 

• Finally, in the energy sector the new decisions are being creating the preconditions for surrendering the ownership of the infrastructures, such as the terminal, from the state to private capital.

 

Meanwhile, the government and ruling forces claim that there are no substantial changes in the updated Memorandum.