NICOSIA – Negotiations with the Troika are at a critical juncture, government spokesman Christos Stylianides said on Friday. He said that in the hours to come the House of Representatives would have to take “big and difficult decisions.” He said some of these would be painful, but added that everyone needed to rise to the occasion. “The next few hours will decide the future of Cyprus,” he said. Stylianides said negotiations with the Troika were in their last stages but would not elaborate.
Following is rthe full text of the spoeksman's statement:
The President of the Republic and the Government are in hard negotiations with Troika in order to conclude to solutions that will save the banking system, the economy in general and will bring back calmness in the country. During these really critical hours, everyone must demonstrate the highest level of responsibility.The President of the Republic, as he mentioned during his address to the nation, assumed a high political cost and accepted the deal with the Eurogroup for the stability levy, despite his disagreements, bearing in mind the social misery that a possible rejection of the proposal would cause.In a few hours we will be called upon to take the big decisions and reply to the hard dilemmas.
The Government has already submitted the bills. The philosophy through which it is trying to find the best possible solution, under the given circumstances, is already known. The House of Representatives will soon be called upon to take the big decisions. Undoubtedly, there will also be painful aspects in any decision taken, but the country must be saved.
The political leadership must, despite the different ideological and political approaches, provide the way out. The President of the Republic as the guardian of unity kept the political leadership constantly briefed and respected the decision of the House of Representatives. Through the continuous meetings with the party leaders he aimed at collective wisdom.
The next few hours will determine the future of this country. We must all assume our responsibility.