As a consequence of that review, changes should be made in the areas of financial sector reform, fiscal policy and structural reforms, reflecting the steps taken by the Cypriot authorities by the first quarter of 2015, in particular with regard to: (i) continuing to closely monitor the liquidity situation of the banking sector; (ii) streamlining the regulation and supervision of insurance companies and pension funds; (iii) further measures to strengthen the banks' management of non-performing loans and ensure long-term sustainable restructuring solutions, including targets for the work-out of non-performing loans and a strategic default study; (iv) the submission of a legal proposal enabling the sale ...[+++] of loans; (v) the presentation of a legal proposal ensuring the transfer of issued title deeds without delay while safeguarding against abuse; (vi) the monitoring on a continuous basis of the implementation and performance of the insolvency and foreclosure frameworks, ensuring that they support their objectives and principles; (vii) to reflect the fiscal performance in the first quarter of 2015, a revision of the 2015 primary balance target to a surplus of at least EUR 264 000 000 (1,5 % of GDP) and further adjustments to the primary surplus target for 2016-2018, also to remain in line with the adjustment path prescribed by the Stability and Growth Pact; (viii) the full implementation of a National Health System (NHS) by 2017; (ix) the operationalisation of the new integrated tax agency by setting up a single registration process and approving a new tax procedure code; (x) the adoption of a plan for the public administration reform leading to the improvement of the wage-setting mechanism, the introduction of a new staff-appraisal and promotion system and an increase in staff mobility; (xi) the consolidation of disability and student benefits; (xii) the inclusion in housing-market regulations of further requirements to accelerate the issuance of title deeds; ...

There is clear evidence of rebalancing in our economy, following the slowdown in economic activity, a narrowing of the large current account deficits that built up since 2007/8, adjustment of wages upwards in “surplus” and downwards in “deficit” countries and house prices in several Member States returning to levels more in line with underlying economic conditions.

Despite real wage adjustments, unemployment has risen markedly.

First, the concentration of unemployment in particular regions and among certain groups reflects in part the imperfect adjustment of wages to regional differences in productivity and individual skill levels.

As regards the objective of proceeding towards a generalised de-indexation of the economy, a step forward was made in 2003 with the official abolition of interest rate indexation (the 'basic interest rate' or TOM) and the social agreement on a new wage adjustment method.

Slow wage adjustment contributes to accelerating employment destruction and increasing and high unemployment.