The government puts big interests above the interests of Cyprus

 

Statement by AKEL Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25th August 2020, Nicosia

Cyprus is facing a serious problem internationally provoked by the government with the granting of Cypriot citizenship to corrupt persons.

However the government doesn’t care. It is not moved to confront the problem. Instead of defending Cyprus internationally, it restricts itself to engaging in the communication management of public opinion.

It employs lies, misinformation and immoral attacks on AKEL and is generally trying to silence the opposition. In doing so, it harms elementary democratic ethos, but also the respect for the political forces and the opposition.

The government does not respect the three-member committee which, following the pressure exerted by Parliament and society, it appointed to review the decisions granting passports. While the Commission’s chair states that possible criminal offenses have been identified and that the Chair is now investigating the cases referred to by Al Jazeera, the Interior Minster states that they have been investigated and haven’t found anything wrong with them.

To cover up its mistakes, the government doesn’t hesitate to damage Cyprus’ relations with countries that it has stated are important and that it wants to strengthen its relations with.

No matter what the government does, however, it can’t cover its mistakes that have harmed and exposed Cyprus. Even former government officials admit it, but the government stubbornly refuses to do so. Without acknowledging mistakes committed, how do you correct them?

It is a demand of society that Cyprus’ reputation is restored. It is society’s demand that yesterday’s practices are ended.

The responsibility lies primarily and decisively with the government. And evidently, it refuses to take on the responsibility. The government puts big interests above the interests of Cyprus on this issue too.