The
President of the Republic receives the credentials
of
the new Ambassador of Moldova
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 Moldova, based in Athens, Mr
Valentin Ciumac.
Presenting
his credentials,
Mr Ciumac said:
“Your
Excellency, Mr President,
It
is a great honour for me to present to you the Letters of Credence as
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of
Moldova to the Republic of Cyprus. His Excellency, Mr Nicolae
Timofti, the President of the Republic of Moldova, has assigned me to
convey to you his heartfelt greetings, as well as best wishes for
prosperity and health to the people of the Republic of Cyprus.
Moldova
and Cyprus established diplomatic relations in 1992 and our bilateral
cooperation has constantly flourished. Therefore, I am looking
forward to adding my personal value to our ties at both official
level and people-to-people contacts. I will endeavor to do the utmost
to develop economic cooperation between our countries, increase the
connections in the field of tourism, culture, education, justice and
health. The Moldovan community in Cyprus encourages us to advance the
cooperation in the field of labour and social security.
Mr
President,
This
year has been a valuable one for both our countries in terms of
European integration. In 2014, the Republic of Cyprus marked its 10th
anniversary in the European community, while the citizens of Moldova
were offered the visa free regime and are enjoying the freedom of
movement within almost all EU member states. This year, the EU and
Moldova signed the Association Agreement, incorporating the DCFTA,
which means the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement. This
bilateral document insures more stability and security for the
Republic of Moldova and its citizens. We are looking forward to
having the Agreement ratified by all 28 EU member states, as a sign
of trust and motivation for Moldova on its path towards European
integration.
During
the recent years, the Republic of Moldova has more than ever advanced
its relations with the European Union, thanks to the professional and
trustworthy young political elite, thanks to the ambitious government
reforms in fields that are vital for the European future of my
country.
Your
Excellency,
I
would like to thank your Government for the support in the complex
process of the EU-Moldova rapprochement. I am confident that we will
continue exchanging experience in the framework of the Memorandum of
Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and
the Government of the Republic of Cyprus in the field of European
integration, signed in Nicosia, on 4 October 2011.
Moldova
and Cyprus are reliable partners in promoting the rule of law,
democracy, peace and solidarity. Both our countries are situated in
regions that are now under global spotlight. In their uneasy
neighbourhood,
Moldova and Cyprus count on international support for the solution of
their own longstanding territorial issues. Conclusively, Moldova
knows the essence of the Cyprus problem and expresses its full
support for the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of the
Republic of Cyprus. Together with other partner countries, the
Republic of Moldova welcomes the resumption of talks, in February
2014, on the Cyprus reunification. We hope that, in light of the
United Nations Security Council resolutions and the EU acquis, the
Cyprus problem will soon be settled successfully in a fair, peaceful
and viable way.
In
our turn, we express our gratitude for Cyprus’ support in advancing
talks on the Transnistrian issue, and further rely on the Republic of
Cyprus, as a fully-fledged member state of the European Union, to
keep promoting the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the
Republic of Moldova.
Your
Excellency,
For
me personally it is an outstanding commitment and a great pleasure to
be appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Republic of
Cyprus, and I assure you that I will make every dedicated effort to
further see the friendly and successful relations between Moldova and
Cyprus develop and prosper”.
Replying
the President of the Republic said:
Your Excellency,
It
is with great pleasure and genuine feelings of friendship that I
receive today your Letters of Credence as the new Ambassador of the
Republic of Moldova to
the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the Letters of Recall of your
predecessor.
I
would like to assure you that my Government as well as I personally
will provide you with unqualified support in your efforts during the
performance of your high duties. I look forward to working closely
with you in enhancing even further the amicable relations between our
two countries.
Excellency,
Cyprus
and Moldova have
developed and established relations of concrete substance and
trusting dialogue, based on our common values and principles of
justice, democracy and peace, evident through our common membership
and cooperation in the UN and other international fora.
The
relations of our countries are also advanced by the important
bilateral treaties in force, especially in the socio-economic sphere
and the efforts underway for further deepening and enhancing them
on the basis of mutual benefit, by extending our cooperation in the
economic / business field and also in areas such as combating
terrorism and illicit trafficking, education and classified
information.
In
addition, the investment
activity of Cypriot entrepreneurs with Cyprus ranking in the second
position as regards foreign direct investments to the Republic of
Moldova, the increased frequency of exchanges of visits of high
officials, as well as the extensive contacts between our people that
have developed throughout the years, are solid testaments of the
fruitful cooperation we share.
Your Excellency,
On
the European perspective and aspirations of Moldova, I would like to
warmly congratulate the government and people of Moldova on the big
step they took towards closer ties with the EU, signing in late June
an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Trade
Area (DCFTA). Currently, Cyprus is in the process of completing its
internal procedures leading to the ratification of this Association
Agreement.
We
are satisfied to note that this Agreement, a watershed in Moldova’s
European course, will significantly deepen political and economic
ties with the EU in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, and is
expected to bring many economic benefits and further the security,
stability and prosperity of your country.
Cyprus
stands ready to continue supporting Moldova’s efforts towards its
European integration. The Republic
of Moldova can count on Cyprus for the exchange
of experience, expertise and know-how in the harmonization and
implementation process of the EU acquis.
Your
Excellency,
Cyprus fully subscribes to the efforts
to assist all parties involved in the “5+2” negotiations on the
Transnistrian conflict. We look forward to a negotiating process in
which all sides will act in good faith and in a spirit of
cooperation. Cyprus commends Moldova’s policy of constructive
engagement on the issue, especially the support in the implementation
of confidence-building measures. We hail such a stance as a key step
towards a peaceful, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the
Transnistrian conflict, based on the universal principles of
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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. The adoption of the Joint Declaration
on 11 February 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 is determined 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 which 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,
With
reference to the economy, I would like to reaffirm my Government’s
commitment to fully implementing the ambitious adjustment programme
agreed with the International Monetary Fund, the European Central
Bank and the European Commission.
A
considerable progress since the Eurogroup decisions of March 2013 has
been achieved: the credit institutions have been restructured and
recapitalized; substantial fiscal consolidation has been implemented;
important structural reforms have been initiated; Cyprus returned to
international markets.
The
cost of the crisis, however, has been severe and painful on the
people of Cyprus. While significant progress has been achieved, the
challenges remain: the economy is undergoing a deep adjustment and
the outlook is subject to risks; more needs to be done to restore
full confidence in the economy.
Excellency,
In welcoming you
to Cyprus, I would kindly request that you convey to the President of
the Republic of Moldova, Mr Nicolae
Timofti, as well as the Prime Minister, Mr Iurie Leanca, and
to the friendly people of your country my warmest greetings and a
message of sincere friendship and solidarity.
Concluding,
I would like to, once more, ensure you that all your efforts to
develop a multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation will meet
the unfailing support of my Government and me personally.”
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.
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