Speech by the President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis at the presentation of the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability:
Today could only be described as historic. And it is historic because today the foundations are being laid for the Cyprus of tomorrow. Because today we present an ambitious and realistic plan not only for the recovery of the economy, but also for the creation of a new vision for our country, which will be implemented thanks to the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability that we have prepared.
The "Cyprus - Tomorrow" Plan is the brave cut, the new necessary model of development of the next day. It is the road map for the post-covid era. It concerns the Cyprus of tomorrow, the new version of the country. It faces the economic and social consequences of the pandemic, but mainly it is the leap in the direction of the productive reconstruction of our country. It is a top challenge for the country to keep pace with the demands of the modern era, in an environment of competitiveness, environmental and digital adaptation and development.
Ladies and gentlemen, however, it is not just about the economy. It is a total economic and social transformation. It leads economy, technology, mentalities and institutions to a new era and its aim is the promotion of Cyprus:
A. As a country with high levels of resilience, productivity and competitiveness, through a sustainable model of long-term development.
B. A country where the education system and workforce development are aligned with the skills needed for the future.
C. A country that will be one of the pioneers in the green and digital transition.
D. A country with a resilient health system, which will follow best practices based on the top systems in the world.
E. A welfare state that will further strengthen the protection network of those in need of state assistance.
F. A state of law, transparency and accountability, with strong anti-corruption mechanisms.
It is a transformation for the implementation of which the following will be fully utilized:
A. The 1.2 billion euros provided for in the Recovery and Sustainability Plan.
B. The 1.8 billion euros provided for the same period by the Cohesion Funds, through the THALIA Program.
C. The 1.4 billion euros that, according to the impact study, will result from private investment or public-private partnerships.
D. While, the annual expenditures of the next budgets will be adjusted and distributed according to the axes of the new development model.
Therefore, the total amount for the implementation of the Program for the period 2021-2026, amounts, not counting the expenditure of the annual budgets, to 4.4 billion euros.
I should also note that as a result of the implementation of the Recovery and Sustainability Plan, amounting to 1.2. billion, will benefit the whole economy and society since, in addition to the projected increase in Gross Domestic Product, an additional percentage of 7% will be added, while, from the implementation of the Plan, more than 11 thousand are expected to be created. new, well-paid jobs.
Not counting the new jobs that will be created from the remaining amount of 3.2 billion euros included in the "Cyprus - Tomorrow" Plan.
Taking over the Government in 2013, we managed to reverse the negative climate created by the economic crisis in our country. In the eight-year course of our Government, we tried to use whatever options we had, to keep Cyprus upright, to restore stability and security, to move forward.
We have succeeded in tackling significant long-standing problems by implementing reforms such as the GESS, the Minimum Guaranteed Income, and the provision of pensions for all above the poverty line.
Administrative reforms with the creation of state ministries for the more efficient operation of the state.
Reforms in Education, with the adoption of a meritocratic recruitment system, the reduction of the term in the National Guard and its transformation into a semi-professional army.
In justice, with the creation of new courts, while with the bills before the Parliament, the fundamental reform of the justice system is sought.
Reforms in the agricultural sector, with the introduction of a register of farmers and universal insurance of agricultural production.
Fiscal consolidation by restoring the credibility of the state and the banking system, but also strengthening the country's competitiveness, through tax and other incentives.
In order not to expand on a host of other reforms, because what I want to highlight today is not the eight-year report, but the importance of a structured plan that ensures through new reforms the modern state of tomorrow.
The coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted the most important priority of ensuring the health and life of citizens, temporarily halted the development and progress of our country.
With the "National Recovery and Resilience Plan", the "Cyprus - Tomorrow" Plan, we turn the crisis into an opportunity again, and give our own answer to the challenges of the next day.
Through a well-documented plan, we claim the European resources that are allocated to us, in order to address the structural problems of the economy and the state.
The funds to be disbursed will be invested directly in actions and projects, with high economic impact and strong social footprint, in the short and long term.
The Cyprus - Tomorrow Plan focuses on young people, women, vulnerable populations, small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, the unemployed, farmers, rural residents, mountainous, remote and disadvantaged areas, everyone citizen more broadly.
It strengthens health structures, promotes the green economy, the digital transition, the improvement of public and semi-public sector services and other reforms related to the improvement of citizens' daily lives. It makes investment and exports the driving force of our economy.
Today we present the most ambitious plan that has ever existed for the transformation of Cyprus into an exemplary, modern country. A plan of concrete and costed actions adopted by the Council of Ministers at its meeting of 14th May 2021 and received the most favorable comments from the European Commission. A plan that is being built on five axes, which I will briefly present today, and which will have the opportunity in the next few days for the competent ministers to analyze in detail:
The first axis concerns Public Health and Civil Protection.
We have learned a lot from the pandemic and being wiser, we are preparing for the next day by further increasing the readiness, resilience and quality of the services of the General Health System, creating the necessary infrastructure, equipment and procedures.
With the "Cyprus - Tomorrow" Plan, we emphasize the further strengthening and upgrading of public and private hospitals. Indicatively only, I mention that in this direction will be implemented investments and reforms that, among others, concern:
- Improving, modernizing and upgrading public and private hospitals.
- The creation of an Innovative Public Health Information and Communication Technologies System.
- The Sponsorship Plan for the purchase or replacement of medical equipment in public and private hospitals.
- The Accreditation Plan of public and private hospitals.
- The development of general cross-border e-health services.
- Strengthening civil protection through the use of smart technologies for the effective handling of emergencies.
The second axis concerns the rapid transition to the Green Economy.
With our Plan, the Green Economy is a pillar of modern development that adds to the Gross National Product, promoting reforms and investments in the fields of climate and energy, sustainable transport, water resources management and the wider environment.
Indicatively, I mention:
- The end of the energy isolation with the Electrical Interconnection of the systems of Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
- The energy upgrade of existing school buildings and other public building infrastructure.
- The further promotion of renewable energy sources.
- New sponsorship schemes to promote energy efficiency investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, municipalities, communities, the wider public sector and households.
- The development of a Smart Transportation System using Digital Copy technologies.
- The creation of infrastructure for electric propulsion and the promotion of the widespread use of electric vehicles.
- The reform of the Water Resources Management System.
These are designs that with their implementation will improve living conditions and will create a really better environment, at home, in the neighborhood, in our country in general.
The third axis concerns the Strengthening of the Durability and Competitiveness of the Economy.
The study of the Cyprus Economy and Competitiveness Council is a guideline for the realization of this goal, the members of which I warmly thank.
We are making plans for a new economy that promotes:
- Expanding the productive base by strengthening the primary and secondary sectors of the economy.
- Enhancing research and innovation.
- Improving competitiveness and the business environment, through digital transformation, speeding up licensing procedures and providing incentives.
- Targeted support for start-ups and innovative units.
- The modernization of public administration and local authorities.
- Reforming and improving the efficiency of the judiciary.
- The diversification and strengthening of the tourist product.
- Fighting corruption and enhancing transparency.
- The resilience of the financial and financial sector.
While, the fourth axis determines the path Towards a digital age.
The fourth Axis is a fundamental part of the overall policy that we adopt for the digital transformation of Cyprus, through access to communication infrastructure for all citizens.
To this end, reforms and investments related to the upgrading of connectivity infrastructure, as well as the promotion of e-government, are being promoted.
Indicatively, I mention:
- The digital transformation of the Central Government and Local Government. That is, the introduction of e-government in all areas.
- The digital transformation of the justice system.
- The Strategy for smart cities.
- The expansion of the ultra-high speed network in remote or uncovered areas.
- The strengthening of the National Broadband Office, to accelerate the development of broadband networks in Cyprus.
Finally, the fifth axis focuses on Employment, Education and Human Resources.
The fifth axis includes two areas:
A. of Education, and
B. Labor and social prosperity and integration.
In the field of Education, among others, the following reforms and investments are foreseen:
- Addressing skills mismatch between education and labor market.
- New evaluation system for educational work and teachers.
- Extension of free compulsory pre-school education from the age of 4 years.
- Digital transformation of school units to enhance digital skills.
- Creation of two model Technical Schools in Larnaca and Limassol,
while in the field of labor market and social welfare and integration a series of reforms and investments are foreseen. Among other things, I mention:
- Modernize the Social Security system that will improve pensions, including ensuring the minimum pension, self-employed rights, benefits and other distortions that are currently observed.
- Restructuring of Social Security services.
- Promoting flexible forms of employment, including teleworking.
- Improving the efficiency of the labor department and public employment services.
- Creation of multifunctional centers for children, residential structures for children, adolescents with behavioral disorders, people with disabilities and the elderly.
I have given, and I want to emphasize, a very concise outline of a documented and structured action plan for tomorrow's Cyprus. carriers.
I would like to point out that the actions of the "Cyprus - Tomorrow" project, in its complete form, include a total of 58 reforms and 76 development investments, including sponsorship programs to strengthen private entrepreneurship.
As I have mentioned above, a detailed analysis by axis will be made by the competent ministers, while today a relevant brief note will be published.
The "Cyprus - Tomorrow" plan is the new coherent national plan for overcoming the distortions that prevent our society and economy from releasing their forces, with confidence and efficiency.
It is the response of Cyprus to the new challenges, which concerns all citizens and not the few. A plan for everyone. For every Cypriot, every Cypriot.
It is a program that allows each member of the European Union to proceed with specific and structured national goals in the modernization and adaptation of the state to the data that determine tomorrow.
Its implementation requires commitment and dedication to the goal, determination, proper planning, synergies between ministries and services, time consistency, administrative knowledge and ability.
Most importantly, it makes the cooperation of all the institutions of the country imperative, with the Government, the legislature, the Public Service and the social partners predominant. This is because the disbursement of resources to achieve national goals requires a series of reforms and legislative acts, as set out in the national Recovery and Resilience Plan we have adopted.
That is why, with full respect for the opposite point of view, I call on the political parties, the Parliament that will emerge after the elections of 30price May, but also the social partners, to mobilize and jointly support the "Cyprus - tomorrow" plan.
Because, as we all admit, the only common opponent is the distortions of the system, but also as a result the problems that the people and the homeland face.
Reforms, such as the modernization of the Public Service, the justice system, the Local Government, the bills related to the most effective fight against corruption, are and should be the first on the agenda of the new Parliament.
And I have no doubt that no matter how many differences separate us, what unites us is the vision and the duty to create the Cyprus of tomorrow. Cyprus that must embody and fulfill the expectations and demands of its citizens. Because the biggest stake is the planning to be done, the program to be done. Because the Recovery Plan can and must change the course of Cyprus. It can and must change the daily life of every citizen. It is the great opportunity of our country. It is the new national effort, it is our biggest common bet and we must all win it together. Only in this way will we ensure a secure perspective for the new generations.