Why we should vote for Andreas Mavroyiannis – Article by Andros Kyprianou – former General Secretary of AKEL

 

Sunday 18 September 2022, “Haravgi: newspaper

Andreas Mavroyiannis has been involved in public life for several decades. He is a very successful diplomat with excellent service in important posts.

Among them, the posts of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the UN and the Permanent Representative to the EU.

These posts have enabled him to know in detail how they function, but also all the prominent UN and EU officials. In addition to all this he served on the Group set up on the Cyprus Problem by successive Presidents of the Republic, such as G.Clerides, T. Papadopoulos and N. Anastasiades, in whose government he served as negotiator for more than nine years until his resignation.

The most important of all the posts he served, which indeed was the only political post he was appointed to, was as Deputy Minister for EU Affairs in the D. Christofias government. From this post he handled the Presidency of the Union on behalf of the government with excellent results.

I met Mr. Mavroyiannis in 2001. I consider he stands out because he is incorruptible, honest and consistent – and in general for the quality of his character. He is a man with a deep knowledge about a very wide range of issues, which helps him to formulate positions and opinions easily.

The major issues of concern to the Cypriot people which should determine their position in the presidential elections are:

1. The combatting of corruption

Those who know Mr. Mavroyiannis recognise that he is incorruptible. Whatever post he has served he has never condescended to abuse his position. He is therefore the only one of the three major candidates who can combat corruption and set out procedures to consolidate political and social life in Cyprus. However, he needs to convey a strong message to society that with his election he will work in two directions. First, to establish procedures that will limit the possibility of corruption. Secondly, that the findings of investigations into scandals will be used to punish those implicated in cases of corruption in an exemplary manner. Towards this end, expertise from abroad will be drawn upon where necessary.

2. Combatting of price hikes – for a fair distribution of national income

Due to his background and social sensitivity, Mr. Mavroyiannis has elaborated important proposals leading to a fairer distribution of national income and the tackling of price hikes which create a protective shield for working people and those who need the State’s assistance. These proposals, which are accurately costed and do not cause problems for the Cyprus economy, must be disseminated and known to the people so as to convince them to support them.

3. Ethos and style of governance

Mr. Mavroyiannis’ long presence in public life, but also the caliber of his character, guarantee the ethos and style with which he will exercise power. An ethos and style which will be unlike that of the current government and which will set a good example to Cypriot society.

4. The Cyprus problem

I have left this last in order to give it the due importance it deserves. Mr. Mavroyiannis, with the support of AKEL, can work to restore the credibility of the Greek Cypriot side in the international community. With sincerity and commitment to the agreed framework, to the body of work that has been produced so far and from where we had remained at Crans-Montana to convince both at home and abroad that the solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality as interpreted in the relevant UN resolutions, is the only option before us. A solution as agreed since 1977 and reaffirmed many times in the relevant resolutions of the UN and other international organisations, as well as in the High-Level agreements.

It is a fact that some may be skeptical about how the Cyprus problem will be handled. He can and must convince that the solution as agreed with the international and the Turkish Cypriot community will be a priority. A solution in which Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins will be masters in our own sovereign state, free from guarantees, foreign armies and barbed wire fences.

For all of the above reasons and much more, I call on all those who love Cyprus to put their hand on their hearts and vote for A. Mavroyiannis. To restore hope and a perspective to the country. To put a smile back on the faces of the common people.