The President of the Republic receives the credentials
of the High Commissioner of Canada
The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today,
at a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the High
Commissioner of Canada to the Republic of Cyprus, stationed in Athens, Mr Keith
Morrill.
Presenting his credentials, High Commissioner Morrill
said:
“Mr President, it is with great pride and honour that I present to
you my Letter of Credence from His Excellency The Right Honourable David
Johnston, Governor General of Canada.
Canada and the Republic of Cyprus have been loyal friends for many
years. I am pleased that we are continuing to deepen and strengthen our
relationship on the basis of our shared values and common interests.
Our friendship began when Cyprus gained its independence in 1960. As
many Cypriot citizens may recall, tens of thousands of Canadian Peacekeepers
served in Cyprus as part of the UNFICYP mission between 1964 and 1993. We know
that you join us in mourning the 28 Canadian peacekeepers who lost their lives
while serving in this country, and in honouring their contribution and ultimate
sacrifice. We will always be proud of the contribution of those Canadians, as
well of those who continue to serve with the UN mission today, in both military
and civilian capacities.
The Canada-Cyprus friendship has only continued to grow from there.
We celebrate the people-to-people ties growing from the vibrant Cypriot-Canadian
community that enriches Canada’s diverse multicultural fabric, and the numerous
Canadians that make Cyprus their home.
Prosperity and security remain essential to the well-being of our
citizens. We appreciate the important contribution of Cyprus in areas related to
international security and counter-terrorism. We also value the extensive
security cooperation between Canada and Cyprus, including during the 2006
evacuation from Lebanon, and more recently during the evacuation of Syrian
refugees from Lebanon and Jordan. Canada’s continued participation in the annual
Argonaut exercise, led by the Cypriot Civil Defence, highlights the unique
relationship Canada has fostered with Cyprus on Emergency Management. We
recognize that, as a stable EU member state in a geo-strategic location, Cyprus
continues to make an important contribution to regional and global
security.
Canada and the European Union have enjoyed a strong partnership,
which has led to the conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
(CETA) as well as a strategic partnership agreement. These two agreements, once
ratified, will serve to bring great benefit to both of our countries, and Canada
is grateful for your country’s strong support in this regard. The Cyprus-Canada
Business Association also continues to contribute to our mutual prosperity
through its efforts to find opportunities to increase the bilateral trade
between our two countries. Furthermore, I welcome efforts by Canadian companies
to consider large-scale investment in Cyprus’ healthcare infrastructure and hope
that success in this area will serve to attract more Canadian business. Lastly,
as Cyprus looks to define and develop its offshore hydrocarbon resources in
cooperation with its Mediterranean neighbours, there is, I believe, considerable
potential for collaboration between our two countries in terms of technical
cooperation, specialist training, and the procurement of equipment and services
to support exploration and development.
Through our close cooperation and collaboration in many multilateral
organizations such as the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the OSCE, and La
Francophonie, we work to promote human rights, and global peace and
security.
I would like to congratulate the Republic of Cyprus on its recent
opening of a resident High Commission in Canada. Upgrading your diplomatic
representation in Canada reflects your country’s concrete desire to deepen our
bilateral relationship. We look forward to our collaboration with High
Commissioner designate, Mr Pavlos Anastasiades.
Finally, I am heartened by the progress which has been made in the
past year in the reunification talks, which represent a genuine opportunity to
secure a settlement. My country and I will do what we can to support
reunification efforts.
Mr President, I very much look forward to working closely with Cyprus
over the coming years on behalf of my country, and to honor our past
relationship, and watch it deepen and grow into the future.”
Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic
said:
“Excellency,
It is with great pleasure that I receive today your Letters of
Credence, appointing you as the new High Commissioner of Canada to the Republic
of Cyprus. Please accept my congratulations for your appointment and my sincere
wishes for every success during your tenure. I would like to assure you that my
Government will provide you with every assistance in the performance of your
high duties to further develop the relations between our two countries.
Our countries have developed and established relations of substance
and trusting dialogue, based on our shared values and beliefs of justice and
peace, evident through our close cooperation in international fora and
especially within the Commonwealth and the United Nations.
May I express on this occasion, my Government’s appreciation and
satisfaction with the record of support between Cyprus and Canada in
International Organisations, and my gratitude for the contribution of Canada
over the years to the peacekeeping force in Cyprus, taking into account that
Canada was part of the first UNFICYP contingent in 1964, and pay tribute to the
Canadians who lost their lives in 1974.
My Government looks forward to further enhancing our bilateral
relations in all fields, considering also the recent upgrading of the diplomatic
representation of the Republic of Cyprus to Canada, with the opening of our High
Commission in Ottawa.
Cyprus, as a member state of the European Union considers Canada a
valuable and reliable partner in America and recognizes its important role in
forging the strong bonds between America and Europe promoting regional
cooperation.
This year is the 40th anniversary (since 1976) of the formal EU –
Canada cooperation and the conclusion of the framework agreement on commercial
and economic cooperation with Canada. Today, the EU and Canada are much closer,
politically and economically.
Excellency,
Three years ago today, just after my election as President of Cyprus,
the country was faced with nothing less than economic collapse. Today, I can
proudly and confidently state that Cyprus has become a success story of economic
reform.
The combination of the resilience of the productive sectors of our
economy with a very determined effort of economic reform and fiscal
consolidation was key to this success. The Cypriot economy is now emerging out
of its most challenging period to date. The last three years are a prime example
of what can be achieved with vision, detailed planning and prudence. It is my
belief that hard work and the common effort of the public and the private sector
can turn an economy in distress towards stability and prosperity.
Our path to recovery has been faster than anyone could have predicted
three years ago. After almost four years of recession, the Cyprus economy
returned to positive economic growth rates in 2015 by registering GDP growth of
1.6%.
With a restructured and fully recapitalized banking sector - mainly
through important international investors - fiscal imbalances permanently
addressed, and a program of radical structural reforms, Cyprus has managed to
access the international capital markets much earlier than any other program
country.
Looking ahead, we are confident that the economy will be on solid
ground in the medium and long term. Major goals of the Government for 2016 are
to entrench growth and create conditions for sustainable development. Our key
policy priorities include: the macroeconomic and financial stability, the
promotion of structural reforms (including, inter alia, the reform of the public
service administration, health system, social policy and the promotion of the
privatization programme) as well as the promotion of investments.
The “shock therapy” imposed on Cyprus in 2013 was both unprecedented
and questionable. But my Government, given the circumstances, had no option but
to implement the Adjustment Programme. Today, we are in a position to look
forward to its successful completion this coming March.
We have learnt valuable lessons the hard way. We still need to tackle
significant challenges. And yet, we choose to see this crisis as an opportunity.
An opportunity to pursue reforms, to sharpen our competitive edge, to attract
foreign direct investments with the ultimate goal of achieving sustained growth
and prosperity for all Cypriots.
Excellency,
Since May 2015 we are engaging in intensive negotiations to reach a
comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus problem, with the aim of creating a
homeland of co-existence, peaceful co-operation and tolerance, in full respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms, irrespective of gender, racial
origin, religion or belief.
While a common understanding on an important number of issues has
been reached, there are still remaining differences in all chapters and we have
yet to embark on substantive discussions in a number of core issues.
At the same time, there are also issues on which even if we reach a
common understanding, the complexities associated with their implementation
require time and careful planning.
Thus, it is vital to be well-prepared and present to the people a
clear Plan, so as to avoid reaching a solution with considerable gaps or
ambiguities that will negatively affect its viability.
On my behalf, I would like to reiterate my sincere willingness and
determination to work tirelessly to achieve 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. A viable and functional solution in line
with the European Union acquis, values and principles; a European solution that
will safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots.
It is our sincere hope that Turkey, an occupying force in Cyprus,
will demonstrate genuine political will to reach a settlement, not via rhetoric
assurances, but through the adoption of concrete steps which will positively
underpin the negotiating process and the climate of hope prevailing in the
island.
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 concluding, High Commissioner Keith Morrill, I welcome you in
Cyprus and would like to assure you of the support of my Government during the
execution of your High Duties. Moreover, I would kindly ask you to convey a
message of genuine friendship and good will to H.E. the Right Honourable David
Johnston, Governor General of Canada and to H.E. the Prime Minister of Canada,
Mr. Justin Trudeau as well as to the well-being of the friendly people of
Canada.”
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.
