The President of
the Republic receives the credentials
of the Ambassador
of Tunisia
The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today,
at a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the Ambassador of
Tunisia to the Republic of Cyprus, stationed in Rome, Mr Naceur Mestiri.
Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Mestiri said:
“Mr President,
It is indeed a great honor for me to present my
letter of credentials from the President of the Republic of Tunisia, H.E. Mr
Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi to You Excellency.
As you know, Mr President, Tunisia - often
considered as the Arab Spring’s sole success - has succeeded in the transitional
democratic process despite the challenges since the outbreak of the revolution
in January 2011.
This is thanks to the spirit of dialogue and
consensus that has fed political forces and the strong civil society and also
due to the dynamic role of Tunisian women committed to strengthening their
rights rooted since independence and to reasserting laicism as a societal
value.
The transnational process was, indeed, crowned in
2014 by the adoption of a new Constitution, which marks the birth of the second
Republic and free and fair elections of a new Parliament and a new President of
the Republic.
Tunisia is facing, today, a double challenge:
Economic development and combating the terrorism phenomenon. In this context I
would like to highlight the recent adhesion of Tunisia to the International
Coalition against ISIS, announced by the Head of the Government at the Leaders'
Summit on Countering ISIS and Countering Violent Extremism, held in New York on
29 September 2015. This attests that we are ready to collaborate with all other
friendly and fraternal countries to combat together this scourge, which
constitutes a strategic threat to the peace and security in our Mediterranean
area and in the world.
Tunisia has had very friendly ties with Cyprus since
1992, all serving to further work together in order to develop economic
cooperation and strengthen exchanges in several areas of common interest. In
this context, we hope that we will be able to finalize our institutional
framework.
Tunisia and Cyprus have, definitely, a lot to
benefit from the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement and the Action Plan,
established in 2005 in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy.
Tunisia reaffirms its commitment to international legality as a
constant element in its foreign policy, and hopes that a peaceful, fair and
sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue will be soon be achieved according to
the relevant UN resolutions of the Security Council.
Mr President,
I feel deeply honored to be appointed Ambassador of the Republic of
Tunisia to the Republic of Cyprus. At the same time, I am fully aware of my
heavy responsibilities. During my tenure of office, I will exert my efforts to
expand and deepen friendship and mutually-beneficial cooperation, enhance the
mutual understanding between the two governments and peoples, and bring Tunisia
-Cyprus relations to a new high. I firmly believe that, in carrying out this
important mission, I shall have the friendly cooperation and full support from
Your Excellency and Your Government.
May the Republic of Cyprus enjoy prosperity and its people
wellbeing!”
Replying, the President of the Republic said:
“Your Excellency,
It is with distinct pleasure and with feelings of genuine friendship
that I receive the Letters of Credence appointing you as the new Ambassador of
the Republic of Tunisia to the Republic of Cyprus. Be assured, Excellency, that my
Government and myself personally will provide you with every assistance in the
performance of your high duties.
Our Governments and peoples have, in the last
decades, developed ties of friendship and co-operation based upon the genuine
understanding and respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and the
need to live in an environment conducive to social, economic and political
development. It is our desire to enhance our countries' cooperation upon the
existing solid foundations.
As neighboring countries, I strongly believe that we
should exert more efforts in order to take advantage of the existing
opportunities for bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, economy,
tourism, energy but also in fields such as police cooperation and exchange of
security information in order to tackle the various regional threats.
In the context of this enhanced cooperation, we will also be able to
expand our discussions on European Union related issues, and the assistance that
Cyprus can help provide to Tunisia, through is active role as an EU member state
and a Member of the Med Group, especially within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
and the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Excellency,
Today, and taking into consideration the situation in the wider
Middle East and the dramatic developments in our region, the cooperation between
us becomes even more imperative, since both countries share the same aim for
peace, stability and security in our part of the world. Tunisia is a vital Arab
ally in the coalition against Da’esh and your country is actively contributing
to the international community’s fight against terrorism in all its forms.
We all remember the recent terrorist attacks in Sousse and in the
Bardo Museum and the loss of innocent lives. The Republic of Cyprus was and will
be next to Tunisia and will continue to support the global fight against all
forms of terrorism.
Mr Ambassador,
The economy of the country went through an unprecedented crisis;
but with the resolve and ownership that the Government and the people of
Cyprus have shown, we are reforming and consolidating the economy and laying the
foundations for a viable growth model.
Our efforts are bringing results, as evidenced by
the fact that Cyprus has returned to growth, with the GDP growth rate expected
to reach 0.5% for 2015, with a positive outlook for 2016.
Using the comparative advantages of Cyprus - its open-market economic
model, its strategic location, its infrastructure, its competitive tax
system, and its highly-qualified human capital – we aim to further strengthen our economy, making it more competitive
and therefore more attractive as an investment destination.
Excellency,
Following the non-renewal of actions which violated the exercise by
the Republic of Cyprus of its sovereign rights within its Exclusive Economic
Zone, and the change in the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community, a
window of opportunity opened that revived our hope that the new round of
negotiations, which resumed this past May, will lead to the comprehensive
settlement of the Cyprus problem.
A hope that is based on my conviction that both I and the Turkish
Cypriot leader, Mr Mustafa Akinci, share the same political courage and resolve
to decisively move forward, in order to materialize the joint vision of our
people, who desire the solution of the Cyprus problem through a viable, lasting
and functional settlement.
A settlement, in full conformity with the values and principles of
both the Charter of the United Nations and the EU acquis, the High Level
Agreements between the leaders of the two communities of 1977, and 1979, as well
as the Joint Declaration of February 11, 2014.
A settlement that will lead to the evolution of the Republic of
Cyprus to a federal state, based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with
political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council Resolutions,
with a single international legal personality, a single sovereignty and a single
citizenship, in line with the principles upon which the European Union is
founded, ensuring the respect of human rights of all Cypriots.
A state that is and will continue to be a member of the UN, the EU,
and numerous other international organizations and whose sovereignty,
territorial integrity and constitutional order will not be constrained by
anachronistic systems of guarantees by third countries and the presence of
foreign troops in the island.
Excellency,
During this new negotiating round, progress has been
achieved in a number of issues on almost all chapters of the Cyprus
Problem.
However, on other substantive issues there are
significant differences that need to be resolved.
Differences that, in order to be resolved, require
Turkey’s active and determined contribution, considering that its occupation
forces still remain in the northern part of our country.
I do hope that rhetoric assurances of Turkey’s
desire to reaching a settlement will be at last tested in practice, through the
adoption of concrete steps that will positively underpin the negotiating process
and correspond to the climate of hope prevailing in the island.
Excellency,
In welcoming you to Cyprus, I wish you every success
in the performance of your duties. I would be grateful if you convey to the
President, His Excellency Mr Beji Caid Essebsi and the people of the Republic of
Tunisia, our warmest greetings for peace and prosperity”.
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