The
President of the Republic receives the credentials
of
the Ambassador of the Czech Republic
The
President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today, at a formal
ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the Ambassador of the
Czech Republic to Cyprus, Ms Helena Bambasova.
Presenting
her credentials, Ms Bambasova said:
“You
Excellency,
It
is both my honour and a privilege to present to You the Letters of Credence by
which the President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman has appointed me as
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Cyprus. At the
same time I present to Your Excellency the Letters of Recall of my
predecessor.
Our
countries and their peoples enjoy a long history of mutual friendship and
fruitful relations, well rooted in the past and flourishing in the presence. I
feel personally privileged and pleased to have the opportunity to contribute
within my limited means to this long story and to serve as Ambassador of the
Czech Republic, after almost two years of absence, on the beautiful island of
Aphrodite. The Czech Republic believes that the presence of an ambassador may
add new momentum to the development of our mutual relations.
In
this context, let me mention, Your Excellency, our sincere hopes, that your
temporary suspension of the function of your embassy in the Czech Republic may
be reconsidered, and that perhaps we may be looking forward to welcoming your
envoy in Prague in a foreseeable future.
Your
Excellency,
As
I said, your island is famous for its natural beauties, but unfortunately, since
1974 it is a divided island. Let me stress that the Czech Republic has been
firmly in support of efforts aimed at solving the Cyprus issue through peaceful
dialogue. My country deems it important
that a comprehensive, lasting and just solution can be achieved in line with the
relevant Security Council resolutions, in the conformity with the EU principles
and international law, a solution that would reflect the agreement of the
parties concerned. The viable solution
must be based on the respect of equal rights, security, and prosperity for all
citizens of Cyprus. The new negotiating process on the Cyprus issue, launched
with the adoption of the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014, raised new
expectations and hopes for the long lasting division of the island to be brought
to an end. My country appreciates your strong political will and courage and
supports your endeavor.
Cyprus
and the Czech Republic have good and balanced bilateral relations. Our common EU
membership since the year 2004 has elevated them to a new level. During those 11
years our representatives have been meeting regularly, exchanging views, seeking
mutual support, and getting to know each other better. Through our EU membership
new opportunities for strengthened cooperation have emerged, and we are using
them.
Economic
cooperation is another important field worth support. As the figures show us,
however the economic recession and financial crisis have brought a temporary
decline, mutual trade and other economic activities are again recovering. Help
and support to Czech business plans and activities will be one of the priorities
during my mission, since we believe that further exploration of the potential
that exists, would be of benefit to both our countries.
Cyprus
is also one of the favorite destinations for our tourists. Once they experience
the beauties of the island and friendship and hospitality of its people, they
want to return, and in the meantime they spread the good reputation of Cyprus
among their compatriots. On the other side there are several thousands of
Cypriots that have studied or worked in the then Czechoslovakia or later the
Czech Republic. All these people, together with expatriates on both sides, are
emissaries and promoters of mutual friendship.
Your
Excellency,
I
am aware of the responsibility that has been placed upon me. I can assure You
that I shall strive at all times to maintain and strengthen the good relations
that exist between our two governments and our nations within all my means. I
believe and hope, that in the execution of this task, the support of Your
Excellency as well as the support of Your Government will be granted, and I
trust that my term of office in Cyprus will be marked by friendly and fruitful
cooperation. Personally, I am very much looking forward to it.”
Replying,
the President of the Republic said:
“Your
Excellency,
It
is with great pleasure that I receive today your Letters of Credence appointing
you as the new Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Cyprus.
Extending
to you my sincere congratulations for your appointment, I heartily wish you
success for this important mission you are entrusted. I would like to assure you
that my Government and the people of Cyprus will provide you with every support
in your efforts during your tenure.
Excellency,
As
European Union Member States that joined the European Union concurrently in
2004, our countries have developed and established relations of substance and
trusting dialogue, based on our shared values and beliefs in justice, peace and
the rule of law.
Within
this framework, I am pleased to note that Cyprus and the Czech Republic express
similar positions on several issues, such as our pragmatic approach on the
Eastern Neighbourhood and our commitment to address the asymmetric threats the
European Union is currently facing. It is our wish to continue this sincere and
practical dialogue aiming at the achievement of our common European agenda
goals.
Complementary
to this, I need to stress the excellent level of our bilateral relationship. The
Cypriot students’ choice, for decades now, of the Czech Republic as their
preferred destination for their higher education ensures and promotes a
substantial people-to-people contact and provides the connecting link between
our peoples and cultures. At this point, we very much hope that in the near
future and with the steps aimed at reviving the Cyprus economy, we will be in a
position to restore a resident Ambassador in Prague.
In
addition, considering the large number of bilateral treaties in force between
our countries, covering, already, a wide array of policy fields, as well as the
operation of the Cyprus – Czech Business Association, my Government’s priority
is to work for the reinforcement of our bilateral relations, particularly in the
fields of business, trade and investment. The establishment of the Cyprus-Czech
Business Association and the signing of a Memorandum between the Business
Associations of our respective countries are providing the appropriate impetus
for promoting and strengthening trade between Cyprus and the Czech Republic.
Madam
Ambassador,
The
new negotiating process on the Cyprus question, launched with the adoption of
the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014, raised expectations for a
comprehensive settlement and the reunification of our country and its people.
However, Turkey’s illegal and provocative actions in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic
Zone in October 2014 subverted the very basic principle of negotiations, that is
the engagement of all sides on an equal footing, free from threats and
blackmail. Under these circumstances, there was no option for the government of
Cyprus but to suspend talks.
However,
following the return to the state of play that existed prior to Turkey’s illegal
actions that forced us to suspend our participation in the dialogue, we believe
that the necessary conditions for the resumption of the negotiating process are
now in place.
In
this respect, I wish to stress that our first priority is to reach a
comprehensive, viable and fair settlement of the Cyprus issue. A settlement
based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as set out
in the relevant Security Council Resolutions, the High Level Agreements and the
Joint Declaration of February 2014, with a single international legal
personality, a single sovereignty and a single citizenship, safeguarding the
principles upon which the European Union is founded and ensuring the peaceful
co-existence and prosperity of all Cypriots.
To
this end, the recent assumption of the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot
community by Mr Mustafa Akinci creates expectations and hopes for cooperation
and joint collaboration, through engaging in substantive negotiations, with good
will and determination, so to finally reunite our homeland, free from any
occupation forces, and for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to peacefully live and
co-exist together, as they had been doing for centuries.
At
the same time, we reiterate our strong belief in the adoption of bold confidence
measures aiming at building trust, confidence and good will between the two
communities, thereby providing a much needed stimulus to the prospect of
reaching a settlement and we welcome Mr Akinci’s public statements in support of
such a prospect.
Nonetheless,
the above-mentioned do not absolve Turkey, which still military occupies the
northern part of Cyprus, from its obligations and responsibilities concerning
the efforts to find a just solution and we do hope and expect that it will
demonstrate genuine political will and negotiate in good faith, so as to
contribute constructively to the efforts to reach a settlement as soon as
possible, not only in theory and rhetoric, but through practical and substantial
actions.
On
my behalf, I would like to once more express my sincere willingness and
determination to work tirelessly to achieve a settlement reuniting Cyprus. It is
the historically shared responsibility of the leaders of the two communities and
all stakeholders involved to uphold these ambitions and find the right forward.
It is a responsibility which I am whole-heartedly committed in undertaking.
Excellency,
My
country, like many other European countries, has been affected by the recent
international financial crisis. Almost two years have passed since the decision
of the Eurogroup of March 2013. As a result of the hard work of the government
and the efforts of the ordinary citizens, I can state with certainty that we
have turned the page; the Cypriot economy is now on the road to full
recovery.
Cyprus
has made great progress on its reform program during these past two years. The
credit institutions have been fully restructured and recapitalized, most
importantly through foreign capital. Capital restrictions imposed at the height
of the crisis have been fully abolished. Public finances have been consolidated;
fiscal targets have been met with considerable margin in 2013-2014, while
important structural reforms, including a privatizations’ roadmap, have been
initiated. These achievements helped Cyprus re-access international capital
markets already in 2014.
At
the same time, we are aware of the challenges ahead. Unemployment is high; the
private and public sectors are heavily indebted. Given the high percentage of
non-performing loans, credit institutions are stepping up their recovery
efforts. My government is confident that the recently adopted legislation on the
reformed foreclosure law and the insolvency framework are important in
addressing the issue of the non-performing loans.
Our
emphasis is now turned towards the necessary structural reforms. The focus of my
government is on administrative structural reforms with the overall aim of
setting the foundations for sustainable growth over the long run, attracting
foreign direct investment and eventually creating a new economic model for the
country.
Madam
Ambassador,
My
government’s top economic priority is the gradual return to capital markets, and
the smooth completion of the macroeconomic adjustment program. I have absolute confidence that the spirit
of unity and the drive to succeed already demonstrated by the people of Cyprus
will eventually prevail.
Excellency,
In
welcoming you to Cyprus, I would kindly request that you convey to President
Miloš Zeman and Prime Minister Bohuslav
Sobotka, as well as to the amicable people of the Czech Republic my warmest
greetings and a message of sincere friendship and solidarity.
Ambassador
Helena Bambasova, I warmly welcome you to Cyprus.”
Present
at the ceremony were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, the
Head of Presidency at the Presidential Palace, Mr Kypros Kyprianou, and the
Chief of Protocol, Mr Marios Kountourides.
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