The Cabinet approved on Friday a series of five draft bills and regulations concerning the reform of the public service, and has sent them back to the House of Representatives, where they are expected to be debated on Monday, at the Committee on Financial and Budgetary Affairs.

A total of six draft bills had been presented to the House on August 2015, they were however sent for legal scrutiny, after concerns regarding their compatibility with the Constitution.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Deputy Minister to the President Constantinos Petrides said on Friday that the reform of the public service was a high priority for the government.

He clarified that there have been some non-significant changes in five out of a total of six draft bills. The sixth draft bill concerning the mobility of civil servants encountered no legal impediments and remains on the House floor to be considered.

According to Petrides, the Cabinet also authorized on Friday the Minister of Finance to withdraw another draft bill that was submitted to the House, concerning public servants` civil liability, although this is unrelated to the reform package.

In view of a forthcoming post-programme surveillance mission by the European Commission and the ECB, in late September, Petrides said it was important that Cyprus respects its commitments vis-a-vis the EU.

He added that the reform is significant for the course of public finances, while a draft bill concerning the payroll of public servants is expected to contribute in a rating upgrade. This is a comprehensive reform that needs to pass through, Petrides concluded.