President Nikos Christodoulides will announce a package of targeted economic measures on Thursday to help the public cope with the impact of the ongoing Iran war.
Speaking after the March 25 national holiday parade in Nicosia, the President said the new support is possible because of the government’s “responsible fiscal policy.”
“Tomorrow I will address the Cypriot people to announce specific, highly targeted measures touching many sectors of the economy,” Christodoulides said. He noted that existing measures already exceed €100 million, adding that the country’s current financial stability allows for further intervention that would have been impossible during the 2012-2013 financial crisis.
The President dismissed critics of his fiscal approach, stating that healthy economic indicators are what allow the state to support its citizens during a crisis. He confirmed that the government has prepared multiple contingency plans depending on how long the regional instability lasts.
On the Cyprus problem, Christodoulides expressed “cautious optimism” following his recent meeting with the UN Secretary-General in Brussels. He said he hopes for a positive response from the Turkish side to restart negotiations from where they were suspended.
Regarding the British Bases, the President confirmed that Nicosia has a “clear plan” for step-by-step negotiations with London. He clarified that Turkish Cypriots could only have a say in the future of the Bases if they return to the Republic of Cyprus, while Turkey would first need to recognise the Republic.
Christodoulides also defended increased security measures across the island, citing the safety of the public as a “top priority” during the regional conflict. He specifically thanked the Greek government and other EU partners for bolstering Cyprus’s deterrent capabilities.
