?andover ceremonies took place on Monday at four Ministries and one Deputy Ministry following the Cabinet reshuffle announced last Friday by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.
The swearing-in ceremony took place earlier at the Presidential Palace.
Marinos Mousiouttas, former DEPA MP takes over the helm of the Labour and Social Insurance Ministry, Neophytos Charalambides DIKO Vice President is the new Health Minister, Constantinos Fytiris starts his tenure as new Justice and Public Order Minister, Michalis Damianos who was Health Minister at the Cabinet moves to Energy, Commerce and Industry Ministry and Klea Papaellina is the new Welfare Deputy Minister.
Innovation and sustainability in mind, says new Energy Minister
We will work with innovation, excellence and sustainability in mind, to ensure that Cyprus continues to move in a direction that will serve the common good and future generations,’ new Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister, Michalis Damianos, said.
He referred to the clear objectives of the governance program and pledged to continue the successful work that his predecessor started.
Damianos noted that he is taking on the portfolio at a critical period , faced with crucial decisions on key issues and expressed the certainty that he can rely on the experience, technical training and zeal of the Ministry’s employees.
Outgoing Minister George Papanastasiou noted that he will continue to tell the truth with clarity from a technocratic point of view, adding that with his close associates at the Ministry they promoted important policies and reforms for the benefit of our country.
Focus on GHS says new Health Minister
Our priority cannot be other than making sure that the General Healthcare System (GHS) operates smoothly, new Minister of Health, Neophytos Charalambides said.
Charalambides also noted that Cyprus will soon assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, adding that this is a great responsibility but also an equally great opportunity to highlight issues that touch the lives o fEuropean citizens and to contribute substantively to European health policies.
Outgoing Minister Michalis Damianos noted that among the reforms and actions promoted by his Ministry were the completion of the legislative framework for the Patient Ombudsman, the submission to the parliament of a bill for the establishment and operation of University Clinics and the transfer of the supervision of the GHS to the Ministry of Health, enhancing transparency and control.
He also referred to the amendment of the Cyprus-Greece agreement, the submission of a proposal to the European Union in December 2024 for the creation of a Joint Procurement Mechanism for Medicines, and the development and implementation of National Strategies and Action Plans for key health issues such as Mental Health.
Labour Minister to promote pension reform
New Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Mousiouttas, noted that he will focus on pension reform, the minimum wage and the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
He said that as new Labour Minister he has a responsibility towards every worker and every pensioner, noting that the objectives and challenges are clear.
He also called on social partners, unionists and employers to continue their work with consensus and consistency. Mousiouttas also praised former Minister, Yiannis Panayiotou, for the work he has fulfilled, noting that he will seek his advice.
Outgoing Minister Panayiotou expressed satisfaction with what was achieved during his three-year term at the helm of the Ministry, focusing on increasing the employment rate, reducing unemployment and increasing the minimum wage.
He also referred to the work aiming at accelerating the processing time of social security benefits by 60% with 80% of requests being processed in less than 6 weeks.
Safety for citizens said new Justice Minister
Citizen safety and protection and the consolidation of justice system are among his priorities new Justice and Public Order Minister said.
Constantinos Fytiris said that he wants a resilient state, adding that reforms by the previous Minister are a valuable legacy. Fytiris also noted that institutional stability is key to strengthening citizens’ trust in justice.
He referred to the challenges the Ministry is faced with, such as crime prevention, pointing out that equality before the law is crucial and so are the protection of vulnerable groups, having transparency and the effective handling of all forms of corruption.
Handing over the portfolio Marios Hartsiotis, who is assuming duties as new Presidential Commissioner, advised the new Minister to be concerned about well-intentioned criticism, but on the contrary to overlook ill-intentioned criticism, as he described it.
I will work with integrity and transparency, new Welfare DepMin said
The new Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Clea Hadjistefanou-Papaellina said that she intends to work with all her strength, with responsibility, integrity and transparency.
She said that the main mission is commitment to social cohesion and the support of vulnerable citizens, pointing out that social welfare is not just about providing benefits but about dignity, support and opportunities for all.
She referred to the work of the staff noting that her intertion is to empower them and highlight the role they play.
Outgoing Deputy Minister, Marilena Evangelou, said that the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare has a large portfolio with a budget of over 650 million and praised the work of the personnel, their commitment and will.
She also referred to the work that was achieved such as, inter alia, the simplification of procedures in benefits with the use of technology, the Neighborhood Social Worker and the Housing and Care Subsidy Scheme for the Elderly.