CSE Committee without DIKO

Political party DIKO has decided not to participate in a Committee, whose creation was recommended by President Glafkos Clerides following a proposal by AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christofias. The Committee was established with the aim of discussing matters concerning the CSE. All parties represented in parliament had been invited to join.

During the last meeting of the Committee, DISY was represented by Vice-Chairman Panagiotis Demetriou who attended in place of Prodromos Prodromou, who is currently overseas.

DIKO press spokesman Andreas Constantinou told Phileleftheros that his party’s absence from the meeting had been intentional. He said DIKO felt that this new Committee was redundant, as there already is a Committee that discusses financial affairs, the House Finance Committee.

With regard to the participation of Mr. Demetriou in place of Mr. Prodromou, who is responsible for financial affairs within DISY, the latter has denied reports that his absence is linked to the fact that he opposes the creation of the Committee or to disagreements with the Minister of Finance. Speaking from Brussels, Mr. Prodromou said it had been clear from the start that two persons would represent each party. Besides, he added, DISY has not reached a decision concerning who will represent the party on the Committee.

During its meeting on December 12, the Committee decided that all parties should present their proposals and suggestions concerning the legal and institutional framework of the CSE by next week. AKEL has already submitted some proposals to the Committee, while DISY, KISOS and EDI are expected to do so by next week.