The President of the Republic receives
the credentials
of the new Ambassador of the Federal
Republic of Germany
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 Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Nikolai von Schoepff.
Presenting his credentials, Mr von Schoepff
said:
“Your Excellency,
I feel deeply honoured to hand over
today the letter of credentials by which the President of the Federal Republic
of Germany, His Excellency Mr Joachim Gauck, has accredited me as Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to the Republic of Cyprus. At the
same time, I kindly request that you accept the Letter of Recall of my
predecessor, Ambassador Dr Gabriela Guellil.
The bilateral relations between our two
countries, Germany and Cyprus, have always been excellent and are getting
stronger day by day. Mr President, your extremely successful visit to Germany at
the beginning of May – the first bilateral visit of a Cypriot President to
Germany in more than 20 years – has highlighted these excellent relations in a
very symbolic way. Cyprus and Germany are strong partners. We are members of the
European Union and the Eurogroup. The contacts between our countries are intense
and the fields of cooperation are already vast today. My prime aim is to foster
and enhance our bilateral relations in the future even more in very concrete
terms.
Cyprus’ economy is on the way of
stabilization and the progress of the country concerning the implementation of
the economic adjustment programme, is remarkable. Your government has
successfully completed four rounds of review by the group of international
lenders, having met the main conditions requested in the Memorandum of
Understanding. Reforms implemented so far have included a large scale
restructuring of the banking system, measures to strengthen fiscal discipline,
and the adoption of legislation enabling the privatization of state owned
entities. Cyprus’ return to the international financial markets and the improved
scores of the international rating agencies are tangible results of this policy.
Mr President, Germany explicitly commends your Government on these important
achievements and I am confident that all domestic stakeholders will assume their
responsibility once more and ensure that an adequate foreclosure and insolvency
legislation in line with the MoU, will be in place soon.
Mr
President,
The division of Cyprus has endured too
long. With our own history and Germany’s reunification in mind, the German
government welcomes any tangible progress towards a comprehensive and viable
settlement of the Cyprus problem. We consider the resumption of fully fledged
settlement negotiations based on the 11 February Joint Declaration of the two
community leaders with the aim to reunite Cyprus, as an important step. We
continue to support a settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework,
in accordance with the relevant UN Secretary Council resolutions and in line the
principles on which the European Union is founded. It is important to maintain a
positive momentum in the negotiations. It is a difficult task, but not a mission
impossible. Germany stands ready to play its part in supporting the ongoing
negotiations under the auspices of the UN. I wish you foresight and courage
during this important period of negotiations.
It has to be underlined that the
settlement of the Cyprus problem would be to the benefit of all Cypriots which
is of particular importance at a time of economic uncertainties. Young Cypriots
need perspectives for a prosperous future, exploiting the islands potentials
jointly. Therefore, any confidence building measures agreed by the two parties,
which could contribute decisively to creating a climate of mutual trust and give
impetus to the negotiation process, have to be supported.
Excellency,
As newly appointed Ambassador to your
country I am looking forward to take an active part in fostering the exchange
between our societies. The economic and commercial exchange between Germany and
Cyprus is already good but can be improved further. The greater interest of
young Cypriots to study and to live in Germany encourages me to make further
efforts in this field. At the same time, it is my sincere wish that young
Germans will continue to discover Cyprus with its natural beauty, cultural
heritage and the welcoming nature of its people. With this I am looking forward
to the close cooperation with you, Your Excellency, and your government.”
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 Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany 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.
Cyprus and Germany, not so close
geographically, have nonetheless met repeatedly in culture, in history and in
diplomacy. The histories of our nations and our peoples have been intertwined
since the Middle Ages when German emperors, travelers and politicians of
international acclaim visited Cyprus and continue to date, culminating with the
visit to Cyprus by Federal Chancellor Merkel as well as my official visit to
Germany last May, the first visit by a Cypriot President in the last 24 years.
The warmth and gracious hospitality displayed to my delegation and myself during
my official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany have given a new impetus to
our bilateral relations.
The recent visit of the State Minister
of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Roth, just a few days ago in
Cyprus, added to the high level of exchanges of visits, attesting to the sound
and close cooperation achieved in the last years between our two countries.
For Cyprus, Germany is indeed a most
valuable partner. Our existing bilateral relations which have been fast evolving
in recent years, undoubtedly provide a solid foundation on which we can further
promote our cooperation in new areas we deem of mutual benefit and of reciprocal
interest, such as in the fields of tourism, trade, defence, services and
education.
Furthermore, we can use existing
networks of communication and exchange, such as the well-established Goethe
institute which is more than a point of reference of Germany in Cyprus, but
actually a vehicle for social and cultural understanding and communication,
helping enhance and deepen the social links between the Cypriot and the German
people.
On the government level, I would also like to highlight our cooperation in the
political-military field, and the importance we attach on the presence of a
German contingent, responsible for the Maritime Task Force of UNIFIL, based in
the port of Limassol. This cooperation, made possible through SOFA Agreement
(Status of Force Agreement) in the aftermath of the Lebanon crisis in 2006 has
flourished and developed. The recent signing of an agreement for providing
assistance and facilities to the Federal Government of Germany in case of
evacuation operations for the repatriation of German citizens from the wider
Middle East area, via Cyprus, in case of a crisis constitutes a very concrete
deliverable in our enhanced cooperation in this field.
Your Excellency,
On the European front, at this critical juncture for the EU, I would like to assure you that
my goal remains our close and resolute cooperation with the aim of addressing
jointly and effectively the common challenges faced by Europe today, so that
Europe can emerge sound, stronger and able to offer stability and prosperity to
all of its people, and in particularly its youth.
With reference to the economy of
Cyprus, I would like to reaffirm my Government’s commitment to implementing the
Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the Troika with the overall aim of
returning to a sustainable growth path. I am pleased that this commitment has
been recognized by the Troika, which has acknowledged the Cyprus Government’s
commitment and determination in this respect. Our intention to fully implement
the adjustment program has also been noted by the Eurogroup, which commended the
Cypriot authorities’ continued prudence in budgetary execution that contributed
to fiscal targets being safely met in 2013.
Despite the positive results, the
Government is fully aware of the challenges ahead and is taking measures that
aim to reinvigorate the economy, boost investments and create jobs. A large and
multifaceted 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. The way
forward is not easy, but I have absolute confidence that the spirit of unity and
the drive to succeed already demonstrated by the people of Cyprus, will prevail.
Your Excellency,
Your arrival to Cyprus coincides with a
critical juncture for our island. Since I assumed my duties, I declared my
intention to work tirelessly to find a viable and just solution to the Cyprus
problem. The adoption of the Joint Declaration on 11 February 2014 paved the way
for the resumption of fully-fledged negotiations between the two communities,
under the aegis of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, aiming at a
comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem, in accordance with 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 Federal Republic of Germany will further diversify and expand
into new fields of cooperation.
In welcoming you to Cyprus, I would
kindly request that you convey to the President of the Federal Republic of
Germany, Joachim Gauck, as well as the Federal Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and to
the friendly people of Germany, our warm greetings 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 Germany will further flourish.
Ambassador von Schoepff, 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.
