Cyprus: Foreign Minister N. Christodoulidis resigned
His resignation from the post of Foreign Minister is “the result of a series of events and attitudes, public and other, that have taken place recently and that inevitably and unfortunately affect the serious work that the government has to do, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis.
According to Mr. Christodoulidis, he has submitted his resignation to the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis, who accepted it, while he also expressed his interest in the presidential elections in Cyprus, which will be held in 2023.
The following is the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
I called you today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to announce my decision to resign from the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs.
I appointed the President of the Republic several days ago, who accepted it on Friday morning, with effect from Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
I would like to warmly thank the President of the Republic for the trust he has shown me and for the opportunity he has given me to serve my country from the highest office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also previously as Director of his Diplomatic Office and as Government Representative.
I am very grateful to him.
My resignation is the result of a series of events and attitudes, public and otherwise, that have taken place in recent times and that inevitably affect the serious work that the government has to do, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I oppose any personal characterizations and state whether I maintain the strong conviction that they do not honor and should have no place in modern political discourse. It is unfortunately these approaches that alienate more and more citizens from the commons but also the exercise of their democratic rights and freedoms, as they vote and are elected.
I would like to reiterate my view that the activation of the relevant internal party processes for the 2023 Presidential Elections, well over one year after their holding, negatively affects the effective addressing of the challenges that we as a State and society are called upon to manage, as well as the implementation and completion of government work.
Especially at a time when Cyprus is facing an unprecedented global pandemic with multiple socio-economic experiences that each of us experiences. Unfortunately, the recent events in Parliament prove the truth of the matter. The same goes for my resignation at a time when there are critical issues on the table.
Early and long pre-election periods are counterproductive and do not benefit the place and the citizens. I remind you that in October 2021, DISY. The pre-conference dialogue as well as the political and ideological conference which was announced to take place at the end of the spring, the results of which, very correctly, constituted the main substances for the government 2023-2028. It is obvious that the sudden acceleration of any processes, in addition to the ones I mentioned above, unfortunately led to introversion in the current situation.
In light of the above, I sincerely state that I would be interested in the 2023 Presidential Elections, especially if one of my candidacies could help in wider cooperation, and of course after a dialogue with society, including the base of the DI . .ΣΥ., Of my party, to whose support I would normally and as expected look forward. A variety that will result in the preparation of a specific program on all the challenges that we as a country are called to face in a modern way, as legally required by the citizen.
I consider, for the reasons I mentioned above, today and in my previous positions, that it is not yet time for the respective decisions. That is why to this day I do not personally express interest in the Presidential Elections, despite what has been heard for a long time. To note at the same time that I have never expressed interest in the Presidency of DISY, which as the decision of President Anastasiadis in 2008 proves, is not a prerequisite for claiming the Presidency of the Republic.
My goal has always been to implement policies without wild beasts and without the predominance of those who indiscriminately show their sharp teeth. Democracy as a state does not favor conditions of jungle and anarchy without, of course, eradicating any species, allowing the smooth coexistence of everything, with respect and principles.
Such approaches serve those who invest in polarization and bigotry and do not fit into modern democracies and morals. I’m sorry but I will not follow. I am advocating associations and not exclusions and this is not the first time he has said that and this is the way I went from the beginning.
I repeat that, in relation to the 2023 Presidential Elections, I will make announcements when I make my final decisions. I remain active and present as I was from the beginning. Not in diagrams imposed by the methods of others, whose ambitions I fully respect and have every right to have, I have the right, and you, and every citizen of the Republic of Cyprus.
I have no doubt that the Cypriot society does not need sharks, but a good captain who will integrate wider forces and build solid partnerships, both inside Cyprus and abroad, which is also crucial in a globalized environment.
Thank you very much.”.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ