Cyprus: Foreign Minister N. Christodoulidis resigns – Expresses interest in upcoming elections

LAST UPDATE: 14:02

His resignation from the post of Foreign Minister “is the result of a series of events and attitudes, public and otherwise, that have taken place recently and that inevitably and unfortunately affect the serious work that the government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has to do,” he said. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis.

As Mr. Christodoulidis announced, he has submitted his resignation to the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis, who accepted it, while he also expressed his interest in the presidential elections in Cyprus, which will be held in 2023.

The following is the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

“Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

I called you today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to announce my decision to resign from the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I submitted my resignation to the President of the Republic several days ago, who accepted it on Friday morning, with effect from Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

I would like to warmly thank the President of the Republic for the trust he has shown me and for the opportunity he has given me to serve my country from the high position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, but also previously as Director of his Diplomatic Office and as Government Representative.

I am very grateful to him.

My resignation is the result of a series of events and attitudes, public and otherwise, that have taken place in recent times and that inevitably and unfortunately affect the serious work that the government has to do, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I oppose any personal characterizations and references as long as I maintain the strong belief that they do not honor and should not have a place in modern political discourse. It is unfortunately these approaches that alienate more and more citizens from the commons but also the exercise of their democratic rights and freedoms, as they vote and are elected.

I would like to reiterate my view that the activation of the relevant internal party processes for the 2023 Presidential Elections, well over one year after their holding, negatively affects the effective addressing of the challenges that we as a State and society are called upon to manage, as well as the implementation and completion of government work.

Especially at a time when Cyprus is facing an unprecedented global pandemic with multiple socio-economic consequences that each of us is experiencing. Unfortunately, the recent events in Parliament prove this to be true. The same goes for my resignation at a time when there are critical issues on the table.

Early and long pre-election periods are counterproductive and do not benefit the place and the citizens. I remind you that in October 2021, DISY. solemnly announced the pre-conference dialogue as well as the political and ideological conference which as announced would take place at the end of spring, the results of which, very correctly, would be the main components for the government 2023-2028. It is obvious that the sudden acceleration of any processes, in addition to the ones I mentioned above, unfortunately led to introversion in the current situation.

In the light of the above, I honestly declare that I would be interested in the 2023 Presidential Elections, especially if one of my candidacies could lead to wider collaborations, and of course after a dialogue with society, including the base of the DI .SY., Of my party, to whose support I would normally and as expected look forward. A dialogue that will result in the preparation of a specific program on all the challenges that we as a country are called to face in a modern way, as the citizen rightly demands.

I judge, for the reasons I mentioned above, today and in my previous positions, that it is not yet time for any decisions. That is why until today I have not personally expressed interest in the Presidential Elections, despite what has been heard for a long time. To note at the same time that I have never expressed interest in the Presidency of DISY, which as the decision of President Anastasiadis in 2008 proves, is not a prerequisite for claiming the Presidency of the Republic.

My goal has always been to implement policies without wild beasts and without the predominance of those who indiscriminately show their sharp teeth. Democracy as a state does not favor conditions of jungle and anarchy without, of course, eradicating any species, allowing the smooth coexistence of everything, with respect and principles.

Such approaches serve those who invest in polarization and bigotry and do not fit into modern democracies and morals. I’m sorry but I will not follow. I am advocating associations and not exclusions and this is not the first time I have said this and that is the way I went from the beginning.

I repeat that, in relation to the 2023 Presidential Elections, I will make announcements when I make my final decisions. I remain active and present as I was from the beginning. Not in schedules that imposed the methods of others, whose ambitions I fully respect and have every right to have them, as I have the right, and you, and every citizen of the Republic of Cyprus.

I have no doubt that Cypriot society does not need sharks, but a good captain who will join forces and build solid partnerships, both inside Cyprus and abroad, which is also crucial in a more globalized environment. .

Thank you very much.”

Telephone conversation between N. Dendia and the outgoing Foreign Minister of Cyprus N. Christodoulidis

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias had a telephone conversation with the outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis.

Mr. Dendias thanked Mr. Christodoulidis for their excellent cooperation and coordination in defending the national interests of Greece and Cyprus in a particularly difficult situation, according to a relevant post of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on twitter.

With information from AMPE