Τhe modernisation of the State and especially of its institutions is a cornerstone of our policies, Cyprus’ President, Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday, in his speech at the Cyprus Democracy Summit held at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia, noting at the same time, that announcements would be made soon on the modernisation of the Law Office and the Audit Office.

He also said that the reunification of Cyprus will be one of the biggest reforms in the country.

The President also said that, a proposal would be submitted very soon, regarding citizens' legislative initiative, through which they be able to submit bill proposals with the collection of 5,000 signatures.

In his speech, President Christodoulides noted that the themes of the conference touch the core of the problems and challenges that all Governments in every corner of the world are called upon to manage.

President Christodoulides added that democracy was not static, and that it should evolve as societies do, and adapt to the needs of society. That is why, he said, reforms, when ones talks about democracy, “are important, because they are the ones that strengthen, at least for citizens, the feeling of democracy, the upgrading and strengthening of the citizens' relations with institutions”.  He also said that, it was important to him, through reforms, “to win back the new generation”.

President Christodoulides referred to the Government's priorities such as the improvement of citizens’ everyday lives, a strong, resilient and competitive economy, setting the foundation for a better tomorrow, investing in the fields of education and health, the acceleration of the green transition and the modernisation and restructuring of the State in Cyprus.

In the context of the priorities he mentioned, he said, the modernisation of the State and especially the institutions were “a cornerstone” of the Government’s policies. He said that the Government would soon make specific announcements, on the modernisation of two “crucial services” of the Republic, the Law Office and the Audit Office. “Following the practices of other member states, we will proceed in the next few days with specific proposals”, he added.

The President also referred to the Government’s actions against corruption and entanglement, including the recent decision to cooperate with the FBI for assisting the efforts of the Cypriot authorities to investigate cases “that not only create the feeling of impunity in our country, but at the same time tarnish the name of our country abroad”.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said that Cyprus, as a full and equal member state of the European Union, “has the privilege of being in the most powerful decision-making centers for all major issues that affect the lives of millions of people, that affect every aspect of our lives”.

He said that this was another reason why “we insist on the more active involvement of the European Union in the effort to resolve the Cyprus issue”, noting that the EU “is the strongest guarantee that democracy will function in our country after the resolution of the Cyprus issue”.

Our top priority, he pointed out, is the need to end the current unacceptable status quo, which is not static, he said. Half a century after the illegal Turkish invasion and continued occupation, he said, “we have a duty to do everything possible” so that the country can be reunited, and become a normal state that offer its citizens the opportunity to live in conditions of safety and prosperity.

“Such a development”, he said, ‘will undoubtedly be one of the greatest reforms in our country and will, at the same time, allow us to fully utilise our country’s potential and prospects”.

He also referred to the policies aimed at encouraging the youth to show interest in public affairs and trust the State and its institutions.

In Cyprus we are constantly working to strengthen democratic institutions, trying to ensure that they become more accessible, said in her message the President of the Parliament Annita Demetriou.

In a video address at the Cyprus Democracy Summit conference in Nicosia, Demetriou expressed her firm commitment "to the principles of democracy that guide and define us as citizens of this state".

Referring to the Republic of Cyprus, Demetriou said that with its rich history at the crossroads of its cultures, "it is relatively young, but in its course it has faced many challenges and has been tested by tragic events such as the Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation that have led to a constant struggle for the search for peace and reunification of our island".

It is precisely these challenges and difficulties, she said, that have maintained and strengthened our respect for the democratic ideals of freedom, equality and justice for all.

In Cyprus, she added, "we are constantly working to strengthen democratic institutions, trying to ensure that they become more accessible, representative and responsive to the needs of all Cypriot citizens".

Keynote speaker, Anna Diamantopoulou, President, “To Diktio” - Network for Reform in Greece and Europe, Former Minister, and EU Commissioner has said that Democracy as we know it is being challenged for the first time.

Addressing the conference, she said that that democracy in the West is inherent to the existence of Western countries, not only because it is a free and more humane regime but also because it is the most productive regime.

In her speech, she asked how we maintain democracy and explain "with constant change as it is not a static regime" and that means "with reforms and strong institutions".

She said, "reforms essentially move democracy and change the facts based on the developments of each era" and change structurally to become more modern and serve the purpose.

At the same time, she said, there are horizontal reforms such as the digital world we are living in now and stressed that "reforms must go hand in hand with structural reforms", noting that "reforms cannot be made without social consensus".

She explained that the consensus that needs reform "needs more social and political alliances, elaboration and documentation. Reform is not just talk, it is a deeply political and extremely demanding and technocratic process. "

She said “we need to understand that there is a wide range of reforms that apply to all EU countries and are based on the European picture. So, she said, reforms in our countries is mainly European, which is osmosis and cooperation through history of both the conservative forces with their views on the economy and the social democratic forces with their views on the welfare state that came together and created the European model.

She concluded by saying that we are in a period when democracy as we know it is being questioned for the first time, as questions are being asked. "This is really frightening when you think about how much blood was spilled to achieve democracy but like everything in democracy, it must be answered with arguments and actions”.

Evarist Bartolo, Former Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Malta, in his speech referred, among other things, to the importance of EU member states, especially the smaller ones, preserving their sovereignty in decision making at EU level, noting that, larger member states are pushing for changes, such as promoting majority voting to abolish unanimity voting. He said that 15 EU countries are small and medium size ones, and suggested that they form a coalition to make sure that any changes do not make them lose their sovereignty completely.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Columbia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.