Read the interview he gave to the newspaper "Phileleftheros"
- You are one of the MPs who, for better or worse, was in the news in a negative way and mainly because some people were bothered by your actions and actions.
- The fact that I was in the news in the past weeks in the known way was not something I sought. After all, as I explained from the first moment, I had taken an action completely spontaneously without intending to provoke. It seems that my strong desire to regulate the specific issue that has to do with the hunting of vines caused this spontaneous act which took on extensions. It is an issue that concerns many hunter friends on a nationwide basis. It is something for which I will exhaust time and effort to change the current treatment of those who want to hunt a species that is not endangered and is a tradition for Cyprus and especially for Famagusta.
- Are there any ex-post actions that you think could have been avoided?
- No. You usually avoid something after thinking or planning. When an action is an instantaneous act, it is an event that is recorded, remains and does not change.
- Some people think that because of your constituency you took some steps to win votes. What do you answer them?
- My primary goal is the continuous promotion of the just demands of the people of Famagusta and the solution of problems related to the world of Famagusta. Famagusta is characterized as one of the most mature constituencies and I consider it an insult to the Famagusta voters themselves if some imply that the criterion for electing their MP comes only from a simple post on Facebook.
- The issue of lifting the immunity of Members of Parliament was again on the forefront. Some time ago it was the subject of the cohabitation agreement. What are your views?
- The issue of immunity should be discussed by the new Parliament, and if it is judged, and can be, the necessary constitutional regulation should be made so that it covers the deputies only for their political speech inside and outside the Parliament.
In fact, what the House voted on was not a Cohabitation Pact but a covert political marriage between heterosexual or homosexual couples, and it wrongly refers to the family court in case of dissolution.
It also contains unconstitutional provisions regarding the adoption of children. I am sorry, because this legislation is hurting the institution of the family at a time when moral values have collapsed. Some can not abolish principles, values and concepts. Whether we like it or not, the family consists of father, mother and children. These are the reasons why I voted against this bill.
- How do you respond to the criticism that concerns all the deputies that they are approximately in the Parliament to serve the interests of many and various?
- The best definition I have ever heard of what politics is was from a university professor who told me literally: "Politics is the battle for power, so that it is decided who gets what, how, how much, when and why". I think this definition answers your question. And yes, the reason that parties and politicians exist is to promote and serve the interests of those they represent. It is important that these interests do not run counter to the public interest, strengthen the rule of law and be promoted in a fair and just manner.
- Do you know if and when and to what extent the desire of Members of Parliament, etc. will be implemented?
- The debate on lust has already begun and has occupied the Legal Committee in several sessions. It is already too late as a State to settle this issue. I hope that a comprehensive bill will be submitted to the Plenary Session of the Parliament as soon as possible. No form of power should be excluded from this bill. Both the executive and the legislature and the judiciary should be included. At the same time, all public or semi-public sector officials should be included who, exercising and exercising their powers, make decisions concerning the management of public money or decisions that financially affect those entrepreneurs who contract with the State.
- There are many citizens who believe that MPs are overpaid and that the money they receive from Parliament should be somewhat reduced. What is your position?
- From time to time voices were heard about the earnings of MPs, and the earnings of other elected officials but also about the earnings of the public sector.
I consider that the current earnings of MPs are sufficient to carry out their duties, especially if we take into account that in Cyprus the incompatibility does not apply, and many MPs maintain their own offices or companies. At the same time, however, we must recognize that there are Members of Parliament who have no other form of income, and that is why we must not be level-headed, precisely because the Member's salary should be the measure by which politics is attractive and for people who are not financially comfortable and essentially this salary is their only income.
Maximalist attitudes prevented the return of Famagusta
- The pre-election period seems to increase the sensitivities regarding the Cyprus issue and every word or phrase is under constant criticism. Is this to the benefit or detriment of the negotiation process?
- National has always been the main topic of discussion during national elections, whether parliamentary or presidential elections. Although in recent years due to the economic crisis the economic issues have also taken, and I say fortunately, a large share in the political discussions, it seems that the ongoing dialogue between President Anastasiadis and the leader of the Turkish Cypriots is increasing interest in the issue, which is expected to have his honorary again in view of the parliamentary elections in May.
It is very important how the public debate on the national issue is conducted, because many times the attempt to create impressions is damaged. And this applies to everyone. Both for those who support the Government's actions and for those who are in opposition.
It is time to honestly and far from slogans to tell the people the truth about our aspirations, which are determined by the choices we have before us, avoiding the big slogans. This practice is followed by the Democratic Alarm and I think it is beneficial for the place.
At the same time, however, I am sorry to note that some political forces are being swayed by the forthcoming elections and with unsupported positions are damaging the negotiation process. And to be clearer, I refer to the many discussions concerning the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus in the event of an agreement, where despite the Government's repeated assurances that the evolution will be preserved through the explicit provisions of the text of the agreement, some insist on the contrary. which damage our argument on the subject.
- The theoretical milestones that came in last year seem to be falling down one by one (eg agreement in December and referendums, then we went to March, others until April and postponement of elections and so on) and the question is if you see the possibility of an agreement within the year, taking into account the whole behavior of the Turks.
- With the beginning of the talks during the presidency of Nikos Anastasiadis, we witnessed the intense interest of the international community of the great powers and the European Union itself to promote the finding of a solution to the Cyprus problem. This is due to two main factors:
Firstly, the well-organized and multidimensional foreign policy of the Government and secondly, the fact that the instability observed in the surrounding area, combined with the energy developments in the Mediterranean, are additional reasons for the international community to help reach an agreement on a problem that concerns it. decades. Perhaps this intense interest led some to cite landmarks.
Despite the fact that the talks are progressing in several chapters, there is a convergence of views between the two sides, from the last briefing made by the President of the Republic in Parliament, one concludes that there is still a way to go on top issues such as territorial, property and the issue of guarantees there are distances.
So I think those who have made reference to landmarks have been wrong. I hope that in the coming months we will see actions from Turkey, especially on the issues I mentioned above, which will allow us to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
In no case, however, can we sacrifice the substance and quality of the solution because of suffocating schedules. We must remain committed to a sincere dialogue based on European values and, in the context of the summit agreements and UN resolutions, seeking a solution.
- Due to your origin and due to the constituency, I will ask you if you believe in the "sandblasting of the Cyprus problem"…
- I personally believe the exact opposite. That is, from time to time some people, in order to satisfy specific political and economic interests, did not take advantage or, if you like, did not pursue the maximum opportunities for the return of Famagusta with the top one of the Anglo-American-Canadian plan of 1978.
Many times maximalist proposals and approaches overturned the prospect of even a dialogue for the return of the city. In addition, I would like to note that if today the desire for return is maintained and the compromise with the occupation and division of Cyprus is rejected, this is largely due to the Famagusta people who, despite the fact that time has worn out the social fabric of their city, themselves with their own initiatives, discussions and events far from partisan expediencies, they keep the interest for the liberation of our country high on the political agenda and in no way are they compatible with the occupation. So I find such reports unfortunate and I categorically reject them.
Increase of votes and seats for DISY
- What are the goals of DISY in these elections? To come first regardless of percentage, or does the number of votes and seats play a role?
- I firmly believe that in the elections of May 2016 DISY will be declared once again the first political force in Cyprus. This will result in an increase in the votes for our party and the seats. With the assumption of the presidency by Nikos Anastasiadis together with his Government and in collaboration with Averof Neophytou and the leadership of DISY, and after recognizing the magnitude of the problems faced by the place, they set some goals: to restore stability and to put an end to the possibility of bankruptcy, which was visible from the beginning of 2012.
Difficult decisions were made in order to proceed with the consolidation of public finances, while at the same time several reforms were carried out which were necessary for the better functioning of the state and the support of the vulnerable groups. Financial and other incentives were provided to help growth, which have brought in more than 6 billion euros in foreign investment over the past two and a half years.
If the Parliament in March 2013 operated consensually and adopted the President's proposal for the consolidation of the financial sector as determined by the first Eurogroup, then things would be much better today. In saying this, I do not overlook the fact that thousands of our fellow citizens, especially young people, remain unemployed and several thousand retirees are going through very difficult times.
Nevertheless, I believe that the proper management of the economy by the Government, the responsible attitude of DISY for all major issues and challenges facing the place, are recognized by all. I am optimistic that all this effort will be appreciated by the civil society which is anxious for the place and recognizes that the first place in DISY will be a guarantee of a course which prevented the catastrophe and is slowly beginning to bear fruit.
Famagusta is the most difficult constituency
- As a Member of Parliament for Famagusta, you are forced to travel all over Cyprus. This means multiplying expenses in relation to a colleague of yours in Paphos, Limassol or Larnaca. What is your comment?
- I think that the main problem that the deputies of Famagusta face is the distances. In fact we are MPs and many times we are forced to visit beyond the two cities, outside our headquarters, on the same day.
The world of Famagusta is scattered today from Paphos to Ayia Napa. Famagusta is the most difficult constituency due to the problems faced by the refugee world but also due to the fact that the Free Province of Famagusta is treated by the decision-making centers unequally in relation to the other provinces. In no case, however, as MPs from Famagusta did we care about the cost in relation to the work we have to do, because our love for Famagusta is great.
Source: Liberal