‘It took me just a day to invite the Federal Bureau of Investigation to Cyprus’, Christodoulides exclusively told Phileleftheros, in the name of clearing the country’s name from corruption.
In an interview to political editors Costas Venizelos, Androula Taramounta, Frixos Dalitis and Andreas Pimbishis, he said that next month the government will be presenting and analysing its priorities for the new year, dedicated to the country’s digital transformation.
But there was also some 2028 Presidential election taste to the whole exchange, with President Christodoulides clearly evading the thousand dollar question of divulging his emotions about having former Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides as a prospective opponent, perhaps with a grudge to spare. And instead seemingly turning the tables to praise himself about running as an independent candidate the first time.
‘I am glad that my candidacy has created this interest by many of our compatriots to also run’, he added, noting that few believed someone could actually get elected without the backing of the two largest parties.
‘And to be clear here, I am not referring to Mr.Michaelides, but any citizen’, he hastened to add, pointing out that we all have the right to consider the Presidency.
– There are questions raised over a possible government reshuffling…what’s your take?
‘No reshuffling, absolutely not’, he states loud and clear as his hand lands noisily on the Presidential desk, with a pause for effect. ‘I am satisfied with my ministers and when problems or delays come up, we discuss them and find solutions’ he said, disclosing that he’s been meeting separately with all of them over the past few weeks in a review of the last year, mainly what hasn’t been done and what should happen in 2025.
He noted that on January 12th, the Cabinet will hold a working day on his resort residence in Troodos, preparing the New Year’s priorities that will be presented on the 29th. One of the issues, he said, will be a more dynamic response to hooliganism, with the fan card and the ticket now also expected to go digital.
President Christodoulides told Phileleftheros that the digital transformation will touch upon raising competitiveness and improving the daily lives of citizens. He also means to strongly push major reforms in the Legal Service and the Auditor General’s Office, while in April he will travel to the United States with the purpose of attracting new investments.
‘The first meeting has already been set for April 4th, with investments focusing on shipping and technology’, he added.
On the measures announced by banking institutions reducing interest rates, providing lending opportunities and cutting down on charges, the President described these as being in the right direction and further to the point, he rejected claims that he was forced into action by scathing parliamentary criticism, arguing that he discussions had been on-going with banks much earlier.
‘Measures directed at strengthening the economy and society were important following the country’s third positive credit rating’, President Christodoulides said, adding that youth, pensioners and supporting the rural areas were a priority. He did however make clear that he wanted more from banking institutions when it came to a further reduction of client charges.
‘Not everyone knows how to use digital banking services, an important part of the population simply does not’, he pointed out, asking banks to waive some of these charges.
His main goal for the year seems to be the digital transformation of the country and the completion of 88 programmes that were announced in 2024, with most close to implementation. In March, President Christodoulides will review his first two years in power, explaining in the process, what hasn’t been done, and why.
‘The country is changing, people can see that and I am glad they understand’.
On foreign policy, President Christodoulides denied risking too much on the Americans vis a vis the strategic relationship and putting all his eggs in one basket, adding that the government is also maintaining significant cooperation with many EU member states as well as the UK, with a British PM visiting Cyprus for the first time in 53 years.
‘Our relationship with the Americans is not conducted in a way that is hostile to the Russians’, he noted, as Cyprus needs everyone in the Security Council, with the Cyprus issue being its priority.
Nicosia, he said, will never be vindictive towards Moscow or Beijing, but it’s direction is clear, and along with it, national interests are aligned.
