The
President of the Republic receives the credentials
of the
High Commissioner of South Africa
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 the Republic of South Africa to the Republic of
Cyprus, stationed in Athens, Mr Marthinus Christoffel Johannes Van
Schalkwyk.
Presenting his credentials, High Commissioner Van
Schalkwyk said:
“Your Excellency,
It is an honour to be here today to present my
credentials to Your Excellency, reaffirming our desire to further enhance and
consolidate the excellent bond of friendship that exists between our
countries.
South
Africa and Cyprus enjoy constructive and substantial bilateral relations
underpinned by strong people-to-people links. Cyprus has always been a good friend
and partner to South Africa.
The large Cypriot community has played and continues to
play a positive and constructive role in South Africa’s economic development
through its membership of organizations such as the Cypriot Brotherhood and the
Hellenic, Italian and Portuguese (HIP) alliance. The work of these civil society
organizations has been and continues to be of crucial importance to assist the
local Cypriot community, but also to ensure proper integration into the larger
community. It is also worth noting that
South African business people and companies, looking to expand their global
footprint, are looking to Cyprus with interest. The fact that Cyprus is part of
the EU and the familiar business culture here are positive factors, when South
African business people consider other destinations.
Your Excellency, South Africa has
consistently maintained the need for a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the
Cyprus question and supported the UN-led peace talks throughout. The South
African Government, in support of the
efforts of the international community, has encouraged the Greek and Turkish
Cypriots to find their own peaceful solution to the dispute. In South Africa, we
negotiated a new Constitution in the early 90’s to democratize our country.
Notwithstanding offers and advice that our negotiations should be hosted by
foreign powers, we insisted that the process, as well as the outcome should be
owned by South Africans themselves. We commend you for following the same
approach and would like to assure you that this becomes even more important over
the long term.
It also gives me a great pleasure to acknowledge the
contributions of a respected colleague and dear friend, High Commissioner
Nakouzis, who has represented the Republic of Cyprus in South Africa most
impressively during his tenure.
The following areas are of
particular importance and worth noting:
- The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Political Consultation, which provides the two countries with the opportunity to reflect on the status of their existing relations and explore new areas of cooperation.
- The signing of the Protocol Amending the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion.
Your Excellency, in closing, I would
like to assure you that it is the
continuing wish of the South African Government to reinforce its links with the
Republic of Cyprus, in order to develop our relations even further.
I thank you.”
Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic
said:
“Your Excellency,
It is with great pleasure that I receive today the
Letters of Credence, by which you are accredited as the new High Commissioner of
the Republic of South Africa to the Republic of Cyprus. In the performance of
your high duties you may count on the assistance of my Government for further
enhancing the excellent relations existing between our countries.
Our bilateral relations are based on common historical
experiences and close people-to-people contacts. Since its independence, Cyprus
was actively involved in the struggle against Apartheid, by supporting in
various international organizations and fora the legitimate aspirations of the
South African people.
The presence in South Africa of a substantial Cypriot
diaspora undoubtedly serves as an additional active link between the two
countries, contributing in further enriching the multicultural character of your
country. We are extremely proud to see the Cypriot South Africans prosper in
their new home, playing their own significant role to the economic and social
development of South Africa.
Cyprus looks forward to further strengthening our
bilateral relations in all fields and in this respect stands ready to join
efforts in exploring new areas of cooperation. Due to its strategic location,
Cyprus can offer valuable advantages to South African companies seeking to
establish a presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Middle East. Within
this context, Cyprus attaches great importance to the culmination of our joint
efforts by concluding a number of very important pending bilateral agreements.
Furthermore, Cyprus, as an EU member state, is committed
to the enhancement of the political dialogue and cooperation between European
and African countries, especially in order to deal effectively with today’s dire
common challenges, such as terrorism and the refugee crisis.
Your 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: Τhe 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.
Your 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 cooperation 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 bicommunal, bizonal 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.
Your Excellency,
In welcoming you to Cyprus, High Commissioner, I kindly
ask you to convey to President Jacob Zuma and to the friendly people of the
Republic of South Africa my warmest greetings and a message of sincere
friendship and solidarity”.
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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