PRESIDENT CHRISTODOULIDIS ON ANIMAL SLAUGHTER - NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF PROTOCOLS MEANS EXIT FROM THE COMMON MARKET AND PROBLEMS IN TOURISM - Filenews 13/3
The Government will stand by all those affected by foot-and-mouth disease, said tonight the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides. In his statements to journalists, arriving at an event of the E.N.P., in Ayia Napa, and asked about his meeting with the livestock farmers' organizations, the President of the Republic said that "a meeting with all the organized groups has just been completed. The Government Spokesman has already made specific announcements in relation to what we discussed, what we decided.
What I want to say is that it is definitely a critical moment. We all understand the criticality of the moments, which at the same time requires difficult decisions with the sole criterion of this, it is important to look at the management of the current situation in the long term and beyond. And within this framework, some decisions were made. What I want to repeat, I want it to be clear to everyone that the Government will be next to all those affected, to all our livestock farmers, for anything that arises in the management of this, I repeat, critical state of affairs."
In a journalist's remark that knowing that the Protocols of the European Union cannot be violated, nor is there any way to make a manoeuvre, what can be done, the President of the Republic said that "we discussed, we put everything down. Today there was a very open and honest discussion and we reached very specific decisions. Announced. It's not just the protocols, there are other aspects as well. On the one hand, it is certainly the protocols of the European Union, on the other hand, it is the protection of the other units, it is the further tightening of some controls that are carried out, the prohibition of others, it is the economic dimension, which will be complete. There are many issues that we discussed, we put down, we made specific decisions."
In a journalist's remark that, however, the killing of animals will continue, the President of the Republic said that "the protocols of the European Union are very specific, the protocols that are applied everywhere, seeing what it means that the non-implementation of a protocol means, which means exit from the common market, it means several problems and challenges in the matter of tourism. It means limiting the exports of the Republic of Cyprus, it means no financial support from the European Union and much more. It is all that we discussed today and we came up with a spirit, I want to say, of absolute understanding of the criticality of the moments that require difficult decisions."
In a journalist's remark that there is dissatisfaction with the way the disease is handled and that some are also demanding the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture, and how he responds to this, the President of the Republic said "I answer that, as in all issues, I see the same approach on the part of DISY and AKEL on all issues. I repeat, the opinion of both the Democratic Rally and AKEL is respected. The views are identical, if you see, on all issues of internal governance. We focus on the substance, we discussed. I repeat, this is the second meeting I have. I will have more meetings with all the organized groups, to find solutions and solutions, which are not pleasant. Solutions that are difficult, which are required by the criticality of the moment."
Finally, asked if there is anything new on the front of the war in Iran, the President of the Republic said that "there is nothing. We are following all the statements, the developments as they are formed and we hope that there will be some initiative. There is also discussion about such a possibility in order to end this difficult situation, to end hostilities and to return to normal conditions."
