Filenews 11 March 2021
Its delight at the fact that Cyprus has largely absorbed its funds from EU funds for 2017, expressed by the PDR after receiving the annual report of the European Court of Auditors from The Member of the Court of Auditors Lazaro Lazarou, today at the Presidential Palace.
Delivering the report, Mr Lazarou said that "I have the honour to deliver to you the annual report of the European Court of Auditors for 2017. There is nothing important about Cyprus.
All I have to say is that Cyprus is doing very well in terms of absorption (funds from EU funds), it is at the highest levels compared to other countries and both as an EU Auditor and as a Cypriot citizen I am proud of the way the State Agencies manage European funds. We do not have any comment on this matter.
It is well managed and knowing the way they work I am sure that at the end of the programming period we will have full absorption, as in previous programming periods."
In receiving the report, the President of the Republic said that "I am really pleased and pleased that Cyprus, as a result of the proper planning of the remarkable technocrats we have, has managed through the government's planning to absorb what is appropriate in our country and to rank Cyprus in the first place.
Equally important is the fact that there are no abuses or certainly evidence of corruption and this is very important.
I would like to believe that, with the cooperation of the political forces, the necessary reforms will be carried out and we will finally be able to absorb what the Recovery and Cohesion Fund provides, which is EUR 1.2 billion.
Once again I want to thank you for the important services you offer to the EU Court of Auditors, but also to share with you what makes you proud and what is the progress our country is showing and the consistency towards its obligations, but also its rights."
In response, Mr Lazarou said that "you have touched on a very important issue, because the funds that Cyprus will receive from the Recovery Fund are based on whether the necessary reforms are to be made. Therefore, do not take it for granted that the amounts you have mentioned will be taken. It depends on whether we are able to make the necessary reforms."
For his part, President Anastasiades said that "I want to believe that the political forces will cooperate, because it concerns Cyprus and does not concern selective policies of any Government. I believe in patriotism, I believe in political maturity, there may be a climate toxicity in pre-election periods, but when critical times demand it everyone demonstrates the necessary patriotism. That is why I believe and hope that we will be able, as to date, to absorb what the Recovery Fund provides."
