The government announced on Tuesday its intention to create a “national action plan for the third age and active ageing”.

Explaining the decision, Social Welfare Deputy Minister Marilena Evangelou said her deputy ministry will coordinate the plan’s preparation, and that it will entail “inter-ministerial participation of the health, education, labour and finance ministries as well as a representative of the President.”

In addition, various stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations which focus on matters pertaining to the elderly will also be invited to take part in devising the plan.

“The decision was taken at the highest level, showing the importance the Christodoulides government attaches to issues concerning the third age,” Evangelou added.

She added that the plan will “coordinate actions and policies related to elderly people’s quality of life, their inclusion in society and the safeguarding of their rights.”

This will be done, she said, “by drawing on good practices from countries in Europe and further afield, as well as things already taking place in Cyprus, and taking into account the elderly themselves.”

She added, “it is our duty as a government, but also as a country, to provide high-level services, but also the facilities which are required not only for a dignified life, but also to provide opportunities to the elderly.”