The President of the Republic receives the
credentials
of the Ambassador of The Gambia
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 Republic of The Gambia to the Republic of Cyprus, stationed in
Rabat, Mr Kebba S. Touray.
Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Touray
said:
“Your Excellency, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of
Cyprus,
It is my honor and privilege to present to you my letters of
credence, by which His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhagie Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh
accredits me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Gambia to
Cyprus.
Your Excellency Sir, I also present to you the letters of recall of
predecessor.
For outset, I bring fraternal greetings from your brother and friend,
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhagie Dr Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the
Islamic Republic of The Gambia, his Government and People of The Gambia, to your
Excellency, your Government and the brotherly People of Cyprus.
Diplomatic relations between our two countries date back many years
during which The Gambia and Cyprus have enjoyed excellent relations and I commit
myself to further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation that bind
us. I have no doubt that I will enjoy the full support of your Government and
people in this endeavor. Even though I am based in Rabat, I will be frequent in
Cyprus and with the presence of our honorary consul in Cyprus, I am sure my work
will be much easier.
Your Excellency, Mr President, The Gambia under the distinguished
leadership of President Jammeh has made several strides in socio-economic
development. Our development agenda continues to focus on the goal of
eradicating poverty. In this regard, the Government places emphasis in job
creation through investments in infrastructure, health, education and training,
agriculture, tourism, trade and information technology.
During my tour of duty I will focus on developing our economic,
social and cultural relations within the context of public private sector
partnerships. I am aware that Cyprus offers lots of opportunities, especially in
the areas of Trade, Tourism, Manufacturing
and many other areas and The Gambia stands ready to work with Cyprus to
harness the potentials that our respective countries offer.
In the international front, The Gambia is concerned with the various
conflicts in different parts of our world and the growing threat posed by
international terrorism. The Gambia advocates for peaceful resolution of
conflicts whiles committing itself to be an effective partner in the fight
against terrorism. Gambia also advocates for international relations based on
mutual respect equity and trust regardless of size or economic power. To this
end, The Gambia continues to calls for restructuring of the United Nations to
create space for voices of smaller Nations to be heard. We look forward to
working closely with Cyprus in pursuit of these objectives.
As a fellow member of the United Nations, The Gambia supports your
ongoing efforts, under the auspices of the United Nations’ Secretary General’s
Good Office’s Mission, for a just and
lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on the Charter of the United
Nations and the relevant Security Council Resolutions. We are convinced that
such a settlement will be to the benefit both of the Cypriot people as a whole,
as well as your wider region.
Finally, let me express my gratitude for the warm welcome and
generous hospitality accorded to me and my delegation since our arrival in your
beautiful country.
God Bless The Gambia and Cyprus relations.
Thank you for your attention.”
Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic
said:
“Your Excellency,
It is with distinct pleasure that I receive today your Letters of
Credence appointing you as the new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of The
Gambia to the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the Letters of Recall of your
predecessor. I would like to wish you every success in your mission and to
assure you that my Government will provide you with every possible
assistance.
Cyprus and The Gambia have developed ties of friendship and
cooperation, based upon the genuine understanding and respect for each other’s
independence, sovereignty and the need to live in an environment of security,
stability and prosperity. My Government looks forward to the strengthening of
our bilateral relations and in that respect, stands ready to join efforts in
exploring new areas of cooperation.
Cyprus as an EU member state, actively participates in the various
fora between the European Union and Africa, including those providing assistance
and aid. Also, Cyprus is committed to the enhancement of political dialogue and
cooperation with African countries, especially in order to deal effectively with
today’s dire common challenges, such as terrorism and 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 a 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.
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 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 of
Cyprus 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, I would kindly request that you convey to
the President of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Sheikh
Professor Doctor Alhaji Yahya A.J.J Jammeh Babili Mansa, and to the friendly
people of your country, 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.
