Justice Minister highlights government's efforts to fight corruption

The government of Cyprus is making continuous efforts with a view to protect the country from corruption, Justice and Public Order Minister, Emily Yiolitis has said, adding that to this end the government has undertaken a series of actions and has promoted the adoption of a set of laws.

In a statement, Yiolitis expressed satisfaction about the fact that the European Commission Rule of Law Report outlines the reforms that have been made towards the right direction.

She also noted that the Moneyvall report already notes Cyprus` compliance with all forty evaluation parameters and the progress which the country has achieved with regard to the issue of money laundering.

Referring to GRECO’s second compliance report for Cyprus, published yesterday, Yiolitis said it is particularly positive that recommendations about the judiciaries have been fully implemented and significant progress has been recorded as regards the Attorney General's offices. Only one recommendation related to the autonomy of law officers and prosecutors remains to be implemented and this will happen very soon by way of a bill which is now being finalised, she noted.

However, Yiolitis said, there are serious issues pending on the compliance of recommendations to do with members of the parliament. To this end the parliament needs to speed up its own processes and I call on the House of Representatives to implement the recommendations included in GRECO`s report, she added.

Referring to the government`s measures against corruption, Yiolitis said that nine government bills have been voted by the House of Representatives establishing the maximum number of terms of office for the President of the Republic, to reinforce the authorities` potential to freeze and confiscate properties acquired through illegal activities, to create an institutional framework for an internal audit service to combat corruption at the Police and to accelerate the administration of justice and to modernise courts. 

She also noted that six out of the nine policies for the reform of justice have been fulfilled, while the government has been promoting legislative measures to reinforce asset control of public officials.

Yiolitis furthermore said that the National Strategy Against Corruption has been approved by the Council of Ministers and internal audit units or directorates have been set up in all Ministries.

She also noted that the President of the Republic will announce during the next period a series of measures that will further enhance the existing accountability framework, transparency and the fight against corruption.