Averof Neofytou

Averof Neofytou (Greek: Αβέρωφ Νεοφύτου; born 21 July 1961) is a Greek Cypriot politician and the President of Democratic Rally (DISY), the governing party in Cyprus. Averof Neofytou has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1996. Prior to that, he was active in local politics and served as mayor of his hometown in Paphos. From 1999 - 2003 he was appointed Minister of Communications and Works in the government of President Glafkos Clerides which led to Cyprus' accession to the European Union. Since 2013, Averof Neofytou is the elected President of DISY.

Averof Neofytou
Αβέρωφ Νεοφύτου
President of the Democratic Rally
Incumbent
Assumed office 28 February 2013
Preceded by	Nicos Anastasiades
Minister of Communications and Works
In office 25 August 1999 – 28 February 2003
Preceded by	Leontios Ierodiakonou
Succeeded by	Kikis Kazamias
Member of the Cypriot Parliament for Paphos
In office 1996–1999
In office 2006–2016
Mayor of Polis
In office 1991–1998
Personal details
Born	(1961-07-31) 31 July 1961 Argaka, Cyprus
Political party	Democratic Rally (DISY)
Alma mater	New York Institute of Technology

Early Life and education

Averof Neofytou was born in Argaka, Paphos, in a non-political family. He completed his secondary education in the public school of Polis Chrysochous in Paphos. He studied Economics and Accountancy at the New York Institute of Technology. Averof Neofytou worked in the private sector before he became the mayor of his hometown in Paphos at the age of 30.

Political Career

Averof Neofytou served as Vice-president of the Youth of Democratic Rally (NEDISY). In 1991, at the age of 30, he was elected Mayor of Polis Chrysochou in the district oh Paphos. In 1996, shortly before the end of his term as mayor, he was elected in the House of Representatives for the district oh Paphos. Averof Neofytou has served as a member of the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus, Honorary Secretary of the Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a member of the Board of the Cyprus Football Association and President of the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society in Polis Chrysochous. In 1999 he was appointed Minister of Transport and Works in the government of Glafkos Clerides, a position he held until 2003. In 2003 he was elected as the Deputy President of Democratic Rally. In the parliamentary elections of 2006, 2011 and 2016, Averof Neofytou was re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives for the Nicosia District. As Member of the Parliament, Averof Neofytou has served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Budget, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, leader of the delegation of the House to the Conference of the Presidents of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the European Union, leader of the delegation of the House to the Conference of European Affairs Committee of the Parliaments of the European Union, leader of the delegation of the House to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and as member of the Select Committee. Averof Neofytou is currently the leader of the delegation of the House to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. He is also the leader of the delegation of the House to the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union. In May 2013, Averof Neofytou was elected President of DISY, succeeding, Nicos Anastasiades the President of the Republic of Cyprus.

President of Democratic Rally (DISY)

Averof Neofytou took over the leadership of the Democratic Rally in 2013, at a time when Cyprus was severely hit by the financial crisis and had entered a financial agreement with Troika. The new DISY government was called to fix the ruined economy and overcome the deep recession. To achieve this, along with the successful efforts undertaken by the government, many necessary reforms had to be implemented with the approval of the Parliament. Under the leadership of Averof Neofytou, DISY managed to achieve the parliamentary supports necessary to pass the reforms required by the economic adjustment program for Cyprus, even though the party lacked Parliamentary majority in the House. Within three years after signing the memorandum of understanding, Cyprus exited the financial assistance program and is back on stable growth, demonstrating economic growth rates above the European Union average.