First meeting of the new Cabinet held today

The new Council of Ministers convened on Wednesday morning, under the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, in its first meeting, after the swearing-in ceremony, at the Presidential Palace.

Prior to the meeting and after the swearing-in ceremony that took place earlier, President Christodoulides and the members of the new government laid a wreath at the statue of the first President of the Republic, Archbishop Makarios, at the Presidential Palace's yard. This was followed by a photo opportunity at the entrance of the Palace for the President and the members of the new government.

At the beginning of the cabinet's meeting, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the victims of the deadly train crash in Greece. President Christodoulides also informed the ministers about procedural issues as the day and time that the Council of Ministers will convene each week.

The new Minister of Defence, Michalis Giorgallas, did not participate in the swearing-in ceremony as he has tested positive for COVID-19. He was sworn in earlier alone.

Moreover, the ceremony during which he would receive his portfolio from the outgoing Defence Minister was cancelled.