The interview with the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgis, began on Wednesday evening on Kontra Channel. “There is no room for predictions, everything will depend on the duration and intensity of the crisis. Everyone understands this. What we can do is to ensure that, even in the near horizon, we can mitigate any impact of this crisis,” was the Deputy Minister’s opening comment, adding:
“Today’s (yesterday’s) measures are intended to ensure that we do not have extra unreasonable increases beyond the costs that may justifiably rise.” Besides, he added at another point in the interview, “experience has been gained of the misleading tactics and distortions that can exist in the market. There is a methodology and a way to identify the problem earlier”. However, he acknowledged, “it’s not an easy task.”
He continued: “We are testing this measure, we think it will work. The control mechanisms and the relevant ministries are ready. We have communicated to all market players about social co-responsibility and how the government will stick to these issues,”
With the remark that “especially in this region (of the world) one must be cautious”, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed at the same time that “we are taking care of the economy, we are taking care of the security of our fellow citizens, we are doing what is nationally imperative in Cyprus and in the region at large. Our country is participating in the regional security architecture and we are safeguarding the interests of our country.”
And, in a more general political comment, “because there is a government that is doing its homework , it has been able since January 1, and even before that, (to boost) certain incomes. This is the only sustainable way to deal with the inexactness as well,” he said, recalling government interventions whenever emergency support measures were needed in the market, energy and so on.
“We continue to improve wages and incomes at a time when you cannot easily make forecasts,” he insisted, noting that “the 2025 figures show that we have almost double the growth rate of other EU countries.” He also highlighted recent government measures in favour of families, pro-renters, etc.
“We need to continue with an economic policy that can ensure in such difficult times that the country will not be a feather in the wind, as it was before, and that cost us,” he concluded emphatically.
Changing the subject, on OPEKEPE and in response to a question about the briefing note of the then President of the Organization Gregory Varras, the Deputy Minister replied that he did not know “whether the document is in the case file or not, this too will be clarified.”
While in a more general statement he concluded that “through the Inquiry process, issues did emerge that we have to examine as a whole as a political system – that is the essence for me.”
And for tomorrow, “a dialogue has started in Parliament, we need to collectively come up with the future of the primary sector. The debate is now underway in Europe, now the national position will be formed, also with the lessons of the past.”
Finally, asked about the phone tapping case, he commented: “The judiciary must be unfettered to do its job – and it will. We must have confidence in it as a whole. I say that for selective assessments…”
