Cyprus has fallen from 38th to 41st in the transparency table
Statement by the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL A.Kyprianou on Transparency International’s new report
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 24 January 2020, Nicosia
Transparency International has published its assessment of corruption issues in various countries. According to the report, Cyprus has fallen from 38th to 41st position in the relevant table. I want to contrast this with what the President of the Republic has said that it’s only in Cyprus that some people refer to problems we have with corruption.
Unfortunately, exactly the opposite is the case. Abroad everyone tells us that we have serious problems with corruption and interwoven interests in our country and that in Cyprus we are trying to cover it up. This is the effort underway by the government. Because AKEL has the boldness to speak out about these issues, because we owe it to our country and people to point out all that is wrong and to correct them, the government ruling forces have the cheek to tell us that our discourse is toxic. That is to say, the problem doesn’t lie with those involved in corruption and interwoven interests, but with AKEL because it points them out.
The President of the Republic is obliged to give an answer to the many questions that are still pending and which he has not yet replied to in relation to all that international organizations, not AKEL, are charging. Both governing DISY party and the government have an obligation to take on their responsibilities towards the country and lead the fight against corruption, so that our country takes its place in the international arena it deserves. We must all understand that Cyprus has been defamed all this time not because of what AKEL says, but of what the government ruling forces are doing.
I hope they will not attribute to us now that we have influenced Transparency International on transparency issues for this organization to downgrade us on corruption and interwoven interests issues.
