Harris Poyiadjis: Reversing climate of distrust a 'big challenge'

"It is a big challenge" to reverse the climate of distrust that prevails in society towards institutions, newly appointed Commissioner for Transparency, Harris Poyiadjis, told CNA on Wednesday.

"It is a great honor, I feel a great weight for the responsibility we have as an Authority to carry out our work," Poyiadjis noted replying to a request for a comment on his appointment.

Asked about the measures that the Independent Commission against Corruption intends to take to combat the phenomenon, he said that "we will make a plan, which I hope will be functional and practical." As he put it, he has some first ideas, however, he did not want to share them before discussing them with the other members of the Commission and reaching collective decisions.

He noted that their official appointment has yet to be made, while the newly appointed members have not yet been able to communicate with each other.  He also stated that right now practical issues are being dealt with such as finding premises and staff for the new Commission.  Subsequently, the Commission's first session is expected to take place in the coming days, he said.

On Monday, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades announced the appointment of the Transparency Commissioner and the members of the Independent Authority against Corruption.

Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos said in a written statement that President Anastasiades received a list of 15 persons proposed by the advisory council as candidates for the independent anti-corruption commission.

Consequently, the President decided to appoint the Transparency Commissioner and the members of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority as follows:

Commissioner for Transparency:

Harris Poyiadjis, former Judge, LLB (Hons) Exon, University of Exeter, England.

Members:

Michael Constantinides, former Director-General of the Ministry of Communications and Works, holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, Queen Mary College University of London and an MSc in Engineering, University of Minnesota

Eleni Patera - Demosthenous, Lawyer, holder of a degree in Law, National Kapodistrian University of Athens

Nikos Zambakidis, Accountant/Auditor, former General Manager of the Nicosia Water Supply Council, holder of the ACCA professional qualification

Tatiana Zachariadou, Sociologist, BA in Sociology, State University of New York, Albany and MA in Applied Sociology, University of Indianapolis.

According to the Spokesman, the Anti-Corruption Authority will take up its duties as soon as possible, immediately after the completion of the procedures related to staffing, housing, and issues related to the proper functioning of the Authority. The Authority’s term of office shall be six years.