The
President of the Republic receives
the credentials of the new High Commissioner
of the United Kingdom
The
President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today, at a formal
ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the new High
Commissioner of the United Kingdom, Mr Damian Roderic Todd.
Presenting his credentials Mr Todd said:
“I have the honour to present to Your Excellency, my
letters of Commission as British High Commissioner in Cyprus. It is a great
honour as well as a pleasure to represent my country here in Cyprus. I look
forward to getting to know much better this beautiful island, its people and its
culture. As a student of history, I understand and look forward to learning more
about the history of Cyprus and its role in the development of European culture
and civilization.
The relationship between the United Kingdom and Cyprus
is, if you will allow me to say so Mr President, a relationship that is
unique. Our membership of the
Commonwealth is but one illustration of our shared history and our shared
values. Our relationship has always been a very rich and active one, not only at
the level of governments, but also throughout society. Many British people have made their homes in
Cyprus. A large number of Britons visit here every year. Britain, and especially
London, is a home to a large community of Cypriots, who play an important role
in political and economic life in Britain. The educational and cultural bonds
between us are a particular strength of our relationship. Bonds that bring us
together, enriching both our countries.
The relationship between the UK and Cyprus is a priority
for us both at this important time and we are witnessing a new vitality to our
partnership. We are in a genuine sense friends as well as partners who know that
we can rely on each other in difficult times as well as good ones. During your
own time in office, Mr President, we have seen numerous and important examples
of the will of Britain and Cyprus to work together. Your visit to London in January this year
played a key role in developing and modernizing our partnership as we look into
the 21 st century. I am sure that we can deepen and widen our
bilateral relationship. We have opportunities to do this; politically,
economically, culturally and in security and regional cooperation. This will be
a key element of my work here in Cyprus with Cypriot partners.
For a decade now we have been partners in the European
Union. Given our many common interests, I am sure that the United Kingdom and
Cyprus, working together and with our partners, can tackle the challenges facing
us including: regional instability; terrorism; the environment; development;
energy security and overcoming the economic crisis. Geographically, we see
Europe from opposite sides of the continent but we share the same desire to see
a Europe moving forward in the right direction.
The settlement of the Cyprus problem has been elusive
for too long. I have already sensed how frustrated Cypriots feel. A settlement is in the interest of Cyprus,
neighbouring countries of Cyprus, Europe and the region. Achieving a settlement
is more important than ever. There is an opportunity before us now following the
Joint Declaration in February. You may be assured, Mr President, of the
commitment of the United Kingdom to support you in looking for a settlement and
that we will do whatever we can to that end.
In my first days here, I have been impressed by the
breadth and depth of the areas of common interest between our countries. I am
struck by the good will which I have found here and the warmth, kindness and
hospitality of the Cypriots. I appreciate this enormously.
Your Excellency, may I say again how delighted I am to
be here. I ask you to accept the letters of Commission which Her Majesty, Queen
Elizabeth has been graciously pleased to ask me to deliver to you, together with
the letters of recall of my predecessor, Mr Matthew Kidd.”
Replying the President of the Republic 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 High Commissioner of the United Kingdom 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 aiming at building upon the excellent
bilateral relations that already exist between our two countries.
Your Excellency,
The relationship between our two
countries enjoys undeniable resilience since it is a relationship of mutual
necessity. The frequent
extensive contacts between our peoples and our mutual socioeconomic interests
that have developed throughout the years constitute proof that the UK is a partner of unique importance
and that both our countries share a strong, pragmatic and deeply founded
relationship of decisive potential, based on the principle of reciprocity. For
Cyprus, UK is indeed a valuable partner bilaterally, in the EU and the Commonwealth, a
partner that has proved its solidarity in times of need such as in the banking
sector’s restructuring efforts.
Your arrival in Cyprus coincides
with an extremely volatile situation in our region. Unprecedented challenges and
imminent threats lie upon us. At this critical juncture, Cyprus assumes the role
of a credible regional partner, in the front line of the European Union in this
part of the world. We have been cooperating with the UK to jointly
tackle asymmetric threats and address humanitarian crises in an effective
manner, as our complementary coordination with the British Bases has shown
during this summer in the case of Iraq and last summer in addressing the
situation in Syria. To this end, Cyprus has proved its commitment in the common
efforts to combat terrorism, nuclear proliferation and illegal arms trade and
towards establishing collective security, regional stability and peace.
The visit of the Secretary of State
for Defense in August is a solid testament of the enhanced strategic defence
cooperation that Cyprus and the United Kingdom have established recently and
has, once more, highlighted the strategic role and geopolitical importance of
Cyprus. We certainly stand ready to further our cooperation and coordination
with the UK on the basis of complementarity, where we can and wish to exert our
role as a crisis management, safe refuge and evacuation hub for the broader
region.
Your Excellency,
Our bilateral relationship rests on solid foundations
and on a dynamic potential. The Joint Communiqué that was issued following my
meeting with Prime Minister Cameron in January last, during my official visit to
the UK, illustrates that our relationship has evolved, as we focus in investing
on areas of pragmatic mutual value and shared interest.
Links are further enhanced through active political
cooperation between Cyprus and the UK, as partners in the European Union, where
we share similar approaches and a high degree of convergence on various topics
and challenges of the European agenda.
Your Excellency,
With reference to the economy of Cyprus, I would like to
reaffirm my Government’s commitment to implementing with determination and
without delay, the Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the Troika with the
overall aim of returning to a sustainable growth path and to restoring
financial, economic and social stability.
Since the Eurogroup decision of
March 2013, my Government has embarked on an ambitious adjustment programme aimed at tackling longstanding
imbalances. There has been a considerable progress since then; the credit
institutions have been restructured and recapitalized; substantial fiscal
consolidation has been implemented; important structural reforms have been
initiated. However, the cost of the crisis has been severe and painful on the
people of Cyprus. Significant challenges remain that will not be resolved
overnight, but I assure you that my Government remains committed to implementing
the programme.
Your Excellency,
Since I assumed my duties, I declared my intention to
work tirelessly aiming at finding a viable and just solution to the Cyprus
problem, which remains of top priority. Since February 2014, a new negotiating
process has started between the two communities, under the auspices of the UN
Secretary General’s Good Offices mission, aiming at a comprehensive solution of
the Cyprus problem, in accordance with the Joint Declaration adopted by the two
leaders on 11 February 2014, the High Level Agreements, the United Nations
Security Council Resolutions and the EU principles and values.
The Government of Cyprus remains committed to continuing
its efforts for a settlement which will bring stability and prosperity to a
reunited Cyprus and to its people, serve the legitimate interests and respect
the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots.
A settlement which will safeguard the EU values and
principles throughout the island, with united Cyprus being an effective EU
member state and an important and stabilizing regional actor in the Eastern
Mediterranean that can utilize to the utmost its unique and privileged
geographical position – a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, Africa and
Asia -, particularly in light of the energy transformation taking place in the
Eastern Mediterranean.
In parallel, the Government, as the Joint Declaration of
11 February 2014 clearly states, also remains committed to the adoption of bold
Confidence Building Measures that will build trust between the two communities
and provide a dynamic impetus to the negotiating process through restoring hope
and confidence to the prospect of reaching a fair, viable and mutually accepted
settlement.
We do hope that both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side
will adopt a constructive stance, with good faith, not only as regards the
mutual benefits associated with the implementation of Confidence Building
Measures, but, and most importantly, to the efforts of reaching a solution
through undertaking practical and substantial steps that will contribute
effectively towards this end.
Excellency,
I am confident that during your presence in the Republic
of Cyprus the bilateral relations of the Republic of Cyprus and the United
Kingdom will further diversify and expand into new fields of cooperation.
In welcoming you to Cyprus, I would
kindly request that you convey to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II my warmest personal regards and a
message of friendship and solidarity.
Lastly, I would like once again to extend my heartfelt
wishes and assure you once more of the support of my Government to your valuable
mission, so that your tenure will be highly constructive and fruitful and
carried out in such a way that the sound relationship that Cyprus enjoys with
the United Kingdom will further flourish.
High Commissioner Todd, I warmly welcome you to
Cyprus.”
Present at the ceremony were the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, the Director of the Office
of the President, Mr Panayiotis Antoniou, and the Chief of Protocol, Mr Nearchos
Palas.
