Christofias calls for suggestions on National Council reform

PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias has asked all members of the National Council to submit their proposals on ways to make the advisory body more effective.

Speaking after yesterday’s first National Council meeting under Christofias, Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said the members of the Council had been asked to submit their ideas in writing.

Following that, a discussion will be held among all members at a special session, he said.

Participating in yesterday’s meeting, along with the party leaders, Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou and Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou, were former Presidents Tassos Papadopoulos, Glafcos Clerides and George Vassiliou.

Speaking to reporters after leaving the Presidential Palace, opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassaides, who has been leading calls for reform of the National Council, expressed the hope that the proposals being submitted would bring about the needed changes.

DISY withdrew from the Council two years ago when it was under the chairmanship of then President Tassos Papadopoulos, saying the body was dysfunctional and did everything except contribute to political unity, failing to meet its primary purpose, the formulation of a policy strategy on the Cyprus problem.

But yesterday DISY’s decision to abstain from the Council was officially revoked, the party leader said.

“I can’t see any reason not to recall a decision which was taken on particular reasons which have been removed,” Anastassiades said.

“With the proposals that will be submitted and also the decisions that will be taken, we hope it will lead to the upgrade of the National Council,” he added.

Socialist EDEK, communist AKEL, and the European Party also said they had submitted their proposals.

Christofias said his decision to ask for proposals from the members was an election pledge he had made.

“And I want I keep my promises,” he said.

Asked when the meeting might take place to discuss the proposals put forward by the parties, Christofias said he could not say.

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