“I have expressed my intention to resign to the President of the Republic three weeks ago for purely health reasons”, Finance Minister, Kikis Kazamias stated on Friday.

Mr. Kazamias admitted that there were several problems and disagreement with President Christofias but “they were absolutely normal and they were not the reason for my resignation”.

Expressing his regret for being forced to resign for health reasons, he said that the President of the Republic persistently tried to dissuade him.

According to Mr. Kazamias, after his meeting with Archbishop Chrysostomos he was to meet the Central Bank Governor, Athanasios Orphanides to examine several pending issues. The Minister avoided stating whether Mr. Orphanides should keep his position.