Article 1
Open ↗Article 2 of Implementing Decision 2013/463/EU is amended as follows: (1) Paragraph 5 is replaced by the following: ‘5. With a view to restoring the soundness of its financial sector, Cyprus shall continue to implement the restructuring of the banking and cooperative credit institution sectors; continue to strengthen the supervision and regulation; undertake a reform of the debt restructuring framework; and gradually lift capital restrictions in line with its roadmap, while safeguarding financial stability. The programme shall provide for the following measures and outcomes: (a) ensuring that the liquidity situation of the banking sector shall be closely monitored. Temporary restrictions on the free movement of capital (inter alia, limits on cash withdrawals, payments and transfers) shall be closely monitored. The goal is that controls shall remain in place only for as long as is strictly necessary to mitigate serious risks for the stability of the financial system. The implementation of the roadmap for the gradual relaxation of restrictive measures shall continue, also taking into account the credit institutions’ liquidity situation. A well-targeted communication strategy shall be designed aiming to communicate regularly information regarding that roadmap and the progress made in the implementation of banking sector strategy. The funding and capital plans of domestic banks relying on central bank funding or receiving State aid shall realistically reflect the anticipated deleveraging in the banking sector and the gradual easing of restrictive measures, and shall reduce dependency on borrowing from the central bank, while avoiding asset fire-sales and a credit crunch; (b) adapting the minimum capital requirements, taking into account the parameters of the balance sheet assessment and the Union-wide stress test; (c) ensuring that any restructuring plans shall be formally approved under State aid rules, before any state aid is provided. Banks with a capital shortfall may, if other measures do not suffice, ask for recapitalisation aid from the State in accordance with State aid procedures. Banks with restructuring plans shall report the progress in their implementation of the plans; (d) ensuring that a credit register is created and operational, that the current regulatory framework on asset impairment and provisioning, and on the treatment of collateral in provisioning is amended, as necessary, and that the Union rules on capital requirements and non-performing loans are implemented in a timely fashion; (e) easing constraints on the seizure of collateral. This shall accompany the preparation of legislation on the basis of a comprehensive reform framework establishing appropriate corporate and personal insolvency procedures, as well as ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of the revised foreclosure and insolvency frameworks. In addition, once reformed, the new private sector debt restructuring legal framework shall be reviewed and additional measures shall be defined as needed; (f) implementing the strategy for the future structure, functioning, and viability of the cooperative credit institution sector, as designed by the Central Bank of Cyprus in consultation with the Commission, the ECB and the IMF; (g) enhancing the monitoring of the indebtedness of the corporate and household sectors and establishing a framework for targeted private sector debt restructuring to facilitate new lending and diminish credit constraints. The banks’ arrears management policies and practices shall be reviewed and the Directive on Arrears Management and the Code of Conduct shall be amended, as needed. Administrative measures that interfere with the setting of bank lending rates shall not be introduced; (h) continuing to further strengthen the anti-money-laundering framework and implementing an action plan ensuring the application of improved practices with regard to customer due diligence and entity transparency, in line with best practices; (i) integrating stress-testing into regular off-site bank supervision; (j) introducing mandatory disclosure requirements to ensure that banks regularly communicate to the authorities and the markets, their progress in restructuring their operations; (k) ensuring the implementation of the restructuring measures that shall enhance the viability of the cooperative credit sector, following the establishment of the legal framework for the new governance structure for the management of the State’s stake in the sector; and (l) ensuring the revision of the governance directive, which will specify, among other matters, the interaction between banks’ internal audit units and bank supervisors.’ (2) Paragraph 7 is replaced by the following: ‘7. During 2014, the Cypriot authorities shall fully implement the permanent measures included in the 2014 Budget Law which shall amount to at least EUR 270 million. They shall also ensure the full implementation of the consolidation measures adopted since December 2012.’ (3) The following paragraph is inserted: ‘7a. For the fiscal policy in 2015-16, the Cypriot authorities shall pursue a general government balance in line with the adjustment path respecting the excessive deficit procedure (EDP) recommendation.’ (4) Paragraph 8 is amended as follows: (a) point (a) is replaced by the following: ‘(a) if necessary, further reforms of the general and public sector pension system to ensure the viability of the pension system in the long term, while addressing the adequacy of pensions;’ (b) point (e) is replaced by the following: ‘(e) elaboration of a programme to achieve a solid corporate governance system for State-owned and semi-public enterprises and implementation of a privatisation plan to help improve economic efficiency and restore debt sustainability;’ (5) Paragraphs 10 to 13 are replaced by the following: ‘10. Cyprus shall ensure the implementation of the agreed measures to address the identified shortcomings in its activation policies. Cyprus shall take swift action to create opportunities for young people and improve their employability prospects, in line with the objectives of the Council Recommendation on establishing a Youth Guarantee ( *1 ) . The design, management and implementation of the measures targeted to youth shall be well integrated within the broader system of activation policies and be coherent with the reform of the social welfare system and the agreed budgetary targets. 11. Cyprus shall stand ready to adopt any further necessary amendments to sector-specific legislation required in order to fully implement Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ( *2 ) . The Cypriot authorities shall further improve the functioning of the regulated professions. The competition framework shall be improved by enhancing the functioning of the competent competition authority and by reinforcing the independence and powers of the National Regulatory Authorities. 12. Cyprus shall ensure a reduction in the title deed issuance backlog, take action to accelerate the swift clearing of encumbrances on title deeds to be transferred to purchases of immovable property, and define deadlines for the issuance of building certificates and title deeds. 13. Cyprus shall amend the rules on the forced sale of mortgaged property and shall allow for private auctions within the shortest feasible timespan. The pace of court case handling shall be improved and court backlogs shall be eliminated by the end of the programme. Cyprus shall take initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of its tourism sector, by implementing the concrete action plan leading to the attainment of the quantified targets identified, inter alia, in the revised Tourism Strategy for 2011-15. Cyprus shall implement an aero-political strategy leading to the adaptation of Cyprus’ external aviation policy, taking into account the EU external aviation and the EU aviation agreements, while ensuring sufficient air connectivity. ( *1 ) Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee ( OJ C 120, 26.4.2013, p. 1 )." ( *2 ) Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services in the internal market ( OJ L 376, 27.12.2006, p. 36 ).’ " (6) In paragraph 14, point (b) is replaced by the following: ‘(b) a comprehensive outline of the regulatory regime and market organisation for the restructured energy and gas sector, including an appropriate sales framework for the off-shore gas supply aimed at maximising revenues; and’. (7) Paragraph 15 is replaced by the following: ‘15. Cyprus shall submit an updated request to the Commission for technical assistance during the programme period. The request shall identify and specify the areas of technical assistance or advisory services which the Cypriot authorities consider essential for the implementation of its macroeconomic adjustment programme.’. (8) The following paragraph is added: ‘16. When developing a comprehensive and coherent growth strategy that would allow the kick-starting of the economy, Cyprus shall integrate it into its national institutional framework leveraging on the on-going public administration, public financial management reform, other commitments in Cyprus’ macroeconomic adjustment programme and relevant Union initiatives taking into account the Partnership agreement for the implementation of the European Structural and Investments Funds.’.