Justice Minister and European Commissioner discuss report on Rule of Law in Cyprus

Cyprus Justice and Public Order Minister Emily Yiolitis and European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders exchanged views during a teleconference on Wednesday on issues of mutual interest and in particular on a Commission Report on the Rule of Law as regards Cyprus.

The report includes many positive references on Cyprus, highlighting structural changes underway in the justice system with the establishment of new specialised courts, the restructuring of courts, the establishment of a judicial school, the review of civil litigation rules and steps to tackle a backload of pending cases, a Justice Ministry press release says.

Positive outcomes included in the report include also a code of ethics in place for government officials, public servants and prosecutors while at the same time the report notes the lack of corresponding rules for MPs.

"The progress achieved by Cyprus in combating corruption was also noted by the Commissioner during their conversation," the press release reads.

Yiolitis also informed Reynders on pending bills before parliament regarding the protection of whistleblowers and the establishment of an independent authority to combat corruption as well as on a bill which is at the final stages of drafting at the Ministry concerning lobbying.