The President of the
Republic received the credentials
of
the new Ambassador of Guatemala
The
President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today, at
a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the
new Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala, stationed in Tel Aviv,
Μr
Alfredo Vasquez Rivera.
Presenting
his credentials Μr
Vasquez Rivera said:
“Your
Excellency,
Mr
Nicos
Anastasiades,
President
of
the
Republic
of
Cyprus;
Minister
of
Foreign
Affairs,
government
officials,
diplomatic
and
consular
corps
accredited
in
Cyprus.
Mr President,
It
is
an
honour
for
me
to
have
the
opportunity
to
present
my
Letters
of
Credence
as
Ambassador
Extraordinary
and
Plenipotentiary
of
Guatemala
to
the
Republic
of
Cyprus.
I
would
like
to
take
the
moment
to
extend
a
special
salute
from
Mr
Otto
Fernando
Pérez
Molina,
Constitutional
President
of
the
Republic
of
Guatemala,
who
has
made
the
decision
to
entrust
me
with
the
diplomatic
representation
of
Guatemala
to
your
great
country.
The
diplomatic
relations
between
Guatemala
and
the
Republic
of
Cyprus
began
more
the
twenty
two
years
ago,
and
throughout
that
time
we
have
successfully
maintained
a
fruitful
bilateral
dialogue.
Our
permanent
missions
in
the
United
Nations
have
been
quite
active
in
this
dialogue.
On
November
2003,
our
Honorary
Consulate
based
in
Nicosia
was
accredited
and
my
predecessor
visited
Cyprus
on
several
occasions.
Mr
President,
I
am
certain
that
my
duties
as
Ambassador
of
Guatemala
to
Cyprus
will
open
the
doors
for
the
re-launching
and
strengthening
of
our
bilateral
relations.
I
would
also
like
to
share
that
only
a
few
months
back,
Guatemala
handed
over
the
seat
as
non-permanent
member
of
the
United
Nations
Security
Council;
we
held
this
seat
with
great
responsibility
and,
as
a
state
which
believes
in
international
law,
the
experience
was
of
great
significance
due
to
the
fact
that
it
allowed
our
diplomacy
to
have a
deep
knowledge
of
the most
important
international
topics,
as
well
as
those
very
particular
situations
produced
in
the
different
countries
and
regions.
The
millenary
culture
that
Cyprus
and
Guatemala
have
will
allow
us
to
learn
from
one
another
and will
represent
a significant cultural
foundation
for
humanity.
This, along
with
our
natural
treasures,
will
allow
us
to
work
jointly
in
the
promotion
of
our
tourism
offer.
I
am
convinced
that
we
could
design
a
strategic
alliance
in
this field,
which
could
produce
benefits
for
both
countries.
Guatemala
would
also
like
to
broaden
its
bilateral
commerce
with
Cyprus,
as
well
as
explore
investment
opportunities.
Currently, Guatemala
is the
Central
American
country with
the best conditions
and
facilities
to
do
business
in.
In
2013,
our economy
grew
by
3.5%, which
is
the
highest
percentage
of
the
average
economies
in
Latin
America.
We
are
the
only
country
in
the
region
with
a
land
border
with
the
biggest
market
in
the
world,
the
North
American
Free
Trade
Agreement.
Currently
we
have
two
bilateral
agreements
with
Cyprus
in
process.
One
of
them
pertains
to
cooperation
in
the
tourism
field;
the
other
one
a
framework
agreement
for
cooperation
on
education,
culture
and
sports.
Guatemala
would
be
pleased
to
subscribe,
in
the
short
term,
a
memorandum
of
understanding
under
which
we
could
establish
a
mechanism
for
bilateral
consultations
with
the
purpose
of
institutionalizing
our
bilateral
relation
and
with
it,
strengthen
and
deepen
our
relation
as
friendly
countries.
Regarding
the
Cyprus
question,
Guatemala
supports
all
initiatives
in
favour
of
revitalizing
the
negotiation
process,
including the adoption on 11 February 2014 of a joint declaration
that paved the way for the resumption of talks to reunify the island.
Furthermore, we respect
the
sovereignty
and
territorial
integrity
of
Cyprus
which
are
recognized
in
all
the
relevant
resolutions
of the
United
Nations
Security
Council.
Finally,
Mr
President,
I
am
certain
that
your
leadership,
your
experience
as
a
statesman
and
your
vision
on
international
affairs
will
allow the
Republic
of
Cyprus
and
Guatemala
to
strengthen
their
bilateral
relations
and
will
propitiate
the
opportunity
for
a
dialogue
between
you
and
the
President
of
the
Republic
of
Guatemala.
Mr
President,
I
make
the
most
sincere
vows
for
your
administration
to
continue
being
successful
to the
benefit of
the
people
and
the
Government
of
a
country
who
is
a
friend
of
Guatemala.”
Replying,
President Anastasiades said:
“Your
Excellency,
It is with distinct
pleasure and sincere feelings of friendship that I receive today your
Letters of Credence appointing you as the new Ambassador of the
Republic of Guatemala to the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the
Letters of Recall of your predecessor. I want to assure you that my
Government and the people of Cyprus will provide you with every
assistance in the performance of your high duties.
Despite
the geographic distance separating our
two countries, Cyprus and Guatemala
have developed friendly and cordial relations over the years.
Cyprus’
European Union membership also provides broader prospects, which my
Government is keen to make the most of to the greatest possible
extent, with the aim of enhancing our two countries’ bilateral
relations.
Within
this framework, I wish to welcome Guatemala’s accession to the
EU-Central America Association Agreement, which in itself constitutes
an important tool in both advancing the cooperation between our two
regions and boosting trade and investments on both sides of the
Atlantic, as well as fostering integration efforts in Central
America.
Your Excellency,
On
this solemn occasion, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation for
your country’s principled position on the Cyprus problem
and for your support for a
comprehensive solution that will reunify Cyprus, in accordance with
the High Level Agreements, the United Nations Security Council
Resolutions and the EU principles and values.
The
adoption of the Joint Declaration on 11 February paved the way for
the resumption of full-fledged negotiations between the two
communities, under the aegis of the United Nations Secretary-General.
On this occasion, I wish to reiterate my personal determination to
engage in a result-oriented negotiating process with a view to
achieving a settlement which will serve, above all, the legitimate
interests of the Cypriot people;
a settlement that will secure the unity of our country and the
respect of the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its
citizens. In this process, we attach great importance to the adoption
of confidence building measures which are vital for building trust
between the two communities and restoring hope and confidence in the
prospect of reaching a fair, viable and mutually accepted settlement.
Excellency,
As
regards Cyprus’ economy, I wish to reiterate my Government’s
resolve to
implement without delays the Memorandum of Understanding signed with
the Troika,
with the aim
of returning
to a sustainable path of growth and development.
I am
pleased to inform you that the diligent efforts of both the
Government and the people of Cyprus have been successful and
positively
assessed by the relevant progress reviews.
A
crisis is certainly an opportunity to develop and grow stronger. My
Government’s aim is for Cyprus to exit the crisis with a resilient
and solid economy, stronger and more robust than beforehand. To this
end, a number of measures have already been adopted aiming at
revitalizing the economy in order, on the one hand, to mitigate the
problems faced by the vulnerable groups of the population and, on the
other, to provide incentives for investment and growth.
A
campaign
has been initiated to attract foreign investments. Measures
have also been taken to support
SMEs,
tackle
rising unemployment numbers,
support
the tourism industry
and promote
social cohesion.
Our task may not be an easy one, but I am confident that the spirit
of unity and the determination to succeed, combined with the
resilience of our people, will eventually bear
the
desired results.
Your Excellency,
The traditional ties of
friendship between our two countries are based on our common
principles and values, whereas our multilateral cooperation provides
a solid foundation so that we further expand these relations.
In
welcoming you to Cyprus and in wishing you every success, I would
kindly request you to convey to the President of Guatemala, His
Excellency Mr Otto Perez Molina, and to the friendly people of your
country, our warmest greetings and a message of sincere amity and
solidarity.”
Present at the ceremony
were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, the
Director of the Office of the President of the Republic, Mr
Panayiotis Antoniou and the Chief of Protocol, Mr Nearchos Palas.
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