President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides underlined his political commitment to show zero tolerance for practices that expose Cyprus internationally.

He told the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry general assembly that his government is working to implement concrete actions that will restore Cyprus' standing as a reliable business and financial centre.

President Christodoulides also referred to the progress Cyprus has made in recent years, in the fight against money laundering and efforts to rebrand the country.

Speaking on the budget before the House of Representatives he said it sets the tone for his government's political priorities and translates the basic principles of our governance programme into feasible projects and reforms, with people at the centre of all policies.

He said it is a surplus budget of 2.2%, which "in addition to our commitment to fiscal stability, reflects our commitment to sustained reforms."

The President said that the Government is focusing on the immediate and effective resolution of chronic issues of concern to citizens, on ensuring a strong and resilient economy, on modernizing the State, on green and digital transition and on laying the foundations for a better tomorrow, with a focus on education and health.

In his speech, the President referred to what he described as emblematic actions that will be promoted in 2024, the most important of which is the tax reform. He also referred to the lifting of Cyprus' energy isolation, through the arrival of natural gas for electricity generation and electrical interconnection with neighbouring countries. In the short term measures within 2024, he said that the implementation of the "Photovoltaics for All" plan will be promoted, as well as the implementation of a support plan for the installation of RES systems with storage.

He spoke about plans to boost business competitiveness, speed up the administration of justice, reduce bureaucracy and digital transition.

He also referred to the reform of local government and the Civil Service, but also to the adoption, soon, of the bill for the Deputy Ministry of Immigration and Asylum and its full operation to address the migration issue.

The President also referred to the reforms in education, health, saying that the General Health Plan (GESY) undoubtedly needs changes to improve the services offered and the sustainability of the system "before it is too late".

Referring to the issue of the country's competitiveness, the reputation and image of Cyprus abroad, the President remarked that a lot has been done in this area, but what is of utmost importance is to strengthen the legislative framework. For this, he added, there are different views and approaches, as well as disagreements, "but there is no other choice and as a Government we will move forward on this issue."

He reiterated that the political commitment to show zero tolerance for practices that expose Cyprus internationally is real "and in this direction we are working to implement concrete actions that will restore Cyprus' standing as a reliable business and financial centre".

He referred to the assistance, in this part, of the US authorities "in our whole effort with a team that came to Cyprus and has already started work."

"The Government has also already taken concrete steps to effectively communicate both the progress Cyprus has made in recent years, particularly since 2013, in the fight against money laundering and our competitive advantages, through a comprehensive campaign to rebrand our country," he said.

The President also referred to the Cyprus problem, reiterating that one option for is "to strengthen our efforts, our initiatives for the reunification of our homeland through a viable and functional solution, always on the basis of the agreed framework, the bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality as provided for in the relevant resolutions, and the principles and values of the EU".

"For us there is no other option, the current state of affairs cannot be the future of our country, and I really believe that through the resolution of the Cyprus problem, we can lead to a mutually beneficial situation for all parties involved in the Cyprus problem," he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion. Numerous peace talks under the UN aegis with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results. The latest round of talks took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.