Kyriakos Koushos on Wednesday officially assumed his duties as Deputy Minister to the President, giving reassurances that he will do his utmost to live up to the expectations of President Nicos Anastasiades and the trust he has shown in him.

Kousios, who had served as Government Spokesperson between December 2019 and last July, is replacing Vasilis Palmas, who resigned his post as Deputy Minister to the President for personal reasons.

President Nicos Anastasiades said during the ceremony for Koushos’ appointment at the Presidential Palace, that he decided to offer the post to him because of his diligence, professionalism, but also the experience Koushos gained during his successful term in the equally demanding position of the Government Spokesperson. He said Koushos was an associate and a close friend, “from the past” and expressed certainty that he will, once again, work “with absolute dedication, zeal, conscientiousness and diligence.”

He added that Koushos is called upon to contribute to the effort to complete a series of actions, reforms and policies that the government promotes with the aim of the complete modernisation of the country “and its transformation into a modern, efficient and flexible state.”

Koushos thanked the President for the special honour bestowed on him "for the second time", adding that when he left the Council of Ministers last July, he did not expect to return so soon but when the President, "a true friend of 45 years” invited him to work for the country as Deputy Minister to the President, he could not refuse.

He also said that there is a lot to be done until the end of the term of President Anastasiades, in about a year, and called for collective work to achieve the goals set by the President that concern, among other things, reforms in the areas of justice, local government, and the public service, but also development projects that need to be completed or rolled out.

Referring to Palmas, President Anastasiades said he was saddened that he was losing a close associate and thanked him for his work and contribution to the implementation of the government programme, and for his honesty and professionalism.