President appoints new Justice Minister

Giorgos Savvides took over as Minister for Justice and Public Order on Thursday. Savvides will succeed Ionas Nicolaou who resigned following revelations that Police did not investigate the disappearance of women of foreign decent in relation to the Mitseros murders.

In statements to the press President Anastasiades said that Nicolaou was one of the most effective and hardworking ministers.

Referring to justice reform measures, Anastasiades expressed hope that parliamentary parties will cooperate so that proper justice is delivered.

In this field, Cyprus, he said, unfortunately ranks 28th among EU member states and 73rd worldwide. ''This is an indispensable reform, a radical one, which creates the necessary conditions for a speedy administration of justice'', said Anastasiades.

George Savvides is a Limassol based lawyer from Famagusta. He is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association and of the International Bar Association.