The President of the Republic receives the credentials
of the Ambassador of Paraguay
The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received
today, at a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the
Ambassador of Paraguay to Cyprus, stationed in Paris, Mr Emilio Gimenez
Franco.
Presenting his credentials, Mr Franco said:
“Mr President,
I have the honour to present to Your Excellency the Letters of
credentials accrediting me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the Republic of Paraguay to the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and this
is, furthermore, a significant event as it is the first time that the Paraguay
has accredited an Ambassador to your illustrious Government.
The Government of Paraguay, aiming for the well-being of its
people, is engaged in the fight against poverty through economic development
with social inclusion that allows it to open up to the world so as to
incorporate the benefits that technology, knowledge and globalisation all
contribute to the growth and development of a nation, along with government
transparency and the fight against corruption, organised crime and terrorism in
all of its forms as well as a pragmatic, dynamic and proactive foreign
policy.
For Paraguay, cooperation in economic, commercial, cultural,
educational and scientific fields, is the appropriate framework in which to
deepen and strengthen a bilateral relationship. Moreover, in this context, it is
the intention of the Government of Paraguay to subscribe instruments on judicial
cooperation regarding extradition and the exchange of imprisoned persons as this
is, inter alia, also of interest to the Government of Cyprus.
Trade between our two countries is still not significant, there
is, however, a potential to expand and deepen two-way contacts. Paraguay is a
world class producer and exporter of food and clean energy. It is first in its
export of electricity and organic sugar and fifth in its export of meat, soya,
corn, wheat and other agricultural products. It is also one of the most stable
economies in the region that provides constant and sustained economic growth and
it maintains an excellent climate for business and investments.
Paraguay is a member of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and,
as such, expects negotiations between Mercosur and the European Union to be
finally realized in a mutually beneficial and balanced association agreement
which takes into account the interests and sensitivities of both Parties.
Mr President,
Paraguay and Cyprus share common values such as the principles of
democracy, unrestricted respect for human rights and the Rule of Law; principles
such as sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, the
self-determination of peoples, non-intervention in the internal affairs of
States and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, with attachment to the values
enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
In this context, the Government of Paraguay advocates the
resumption of negotiations to reunify Cyprus in accordance with relevant UN
Security Council Resolutions, shares the spirit of the Joint Declaration of
February 2014 and lauds the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United
Nations in his search for a just, stable and lasting solution for both Cyprus
and the entire region.
Mr President, I, to this end, reaffirm, on behalf of my country’s
Government, our commitment to a joint effort that will benefit both of our
peoples.”
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 first Ambassador of the
Republic of Paraguay to the Republic of Cyprus. I would like to assure you that
my Government and the people of Cyprus will provide you with every assistance in
the performance of your high duties. I personally look forward to working with
you on further developing the bilateral relations between our two countries.
Bilateral relations between Cyprus and Paraguay are based on
common democratic values and principles that both countries cherish and adhere
to. It is my Government’s objective to work towards the further enhancement of
these ties and of our cooperation in various domains.
Moreover, as a member state of the European Union, Cyprus is
willing and ready to contribute to the further development of Paraguay’s
multidimensional relations and cooperation with the European Union.
Your 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.
Mr 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.
Your Excellency,
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.
Your Excellency,
I sincerely wish you every success in your important duties, aimed
at achieving greater mutual understanding and providing new impetus to the
development of the relations between our two countries.
In
welcoming you to Cyprus, I would kindly request that you convey to His
Excellency, Mr Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara, as well as to the amicable people of
Paraguay our warmest greetings and a message of friendship and solidarity. I
conclude by extending my heartfelt wishes and by assuring you once more of the
support of my Government and me personally 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 Paraguay will further
flourish.
Ambassador Franco
,
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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