the High Commissioner
of Pakistan
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 Pakistan to the Republic of Cyprus,
stationed in Beirut, Mr Aftad Ahmad Khokher.
Presenting her credentials , the High Commissioner of Pakistan said:
“ Excellency, The Honourable, Mr President,
It is a great honour for me to be here today to present my
credentials as High Commissioner – Designate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
to the Republic of Cyprus. At the outset, I would like to convey sincere
greetings from the President of Pakistan H.E. Mr. Mamnoon Hussain and Prime
Minister H.E. Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to you, the Government and friendly
people of the Republic of Cyprus. They have conveyed their best wishes for
progress and prosperity of the Republic of Cyprus.
The relationship between Pakistan and Cyprus is an important facet of
Pakistan’s foreign policy. This relationship is based on the fundamental
principles of mutual respect and cooperation. The Republic of Cyprus, being an
important member of European Union and the Commonwealth, holds a special place
in the comity of nations.
Pakistan and Cyprus have traditionally enjoyed close and cordial
relations. We have extended support to each other at various international
fora. We look forward to continuing our
cooperation in various spheres.
The honour of being High Commissioner of Pakistan carries a
responsibility as well. Therefore, it would be my earnest desire and commitment
to fortify our longstanding relations particularly through enhancement of trade
ties and developing bridges between the economies of two countries. The private
sectors of the two countries must be encouraged to explore and exploit
opportunities of trade and investment. Pakistan offers conducive business and
friendly investment environment. Your patronage and guidance will be crucial and
critical to fulfill my task and achieve substantive results during my
assignment.
Mr President,
Today Pakistan has established itself as a stable country. Pakistan
has achieved substantive achievements in various spheres particularly in its
efforts to counter terrorism. The political system has gained maturity coupled
with improvement in general level of security. The economic indicators are very
positive and promising.
The guiding principles of Pakistan’s foreign policy are: “Peace for
Development” and “Peaceful Neighbourhood”. Therefore, Pakistan believes in
resolution of all outstanding issues with India including the issue of Jammu and
Kashmir. Pakistan is also striving for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has launched a long term China Pakistan Economic Corridor Project.
Pakistan supports the efforts towards a comprehensive, viable and
fair settlement of the Cyprus problem based on UN Resolutions and High Level
Agreements at the earliest possible. We believe that the Republic of Cyprus,
under your visionary leadership, will achieve this objective.
Mr President,
I would like to conclude by reiterating my objective of further
strengthening the excellent relations between Pakistan and Cyprus.
I have the honour to present the letter of recall of my predecessor
and the letter of credence, by which H.E. the President of the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan has appointed me as High Commissioner Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of
Cyprus”.
Receiving his 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 the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan to the Republic of Cyprus. Please, accept my congratulations for your
appointment and my sincere wishes for every success during your tenure.
Cyprus and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have established
diplomatic relations more than 50 years ago. We believe that there is room for
expanding our relations through cooperation in various areas as well as by
forging agreements in the economic, maritime, security, educational, scientific
and cultural fields. In this respect, the conclusion of pending bilateral
agreements in the above fields would certainly be an important step forward for
broadening and deepening our bilateral relationship.
Furthermore, Cyprus, as a member state of the European Union,
considers the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as an important partner in Asia and
actively supports community dialogue with the country and the ongoing efforts to
build a strong long-term EU-Pakistan partnership to promote regional cooperation
and stability.
Excellency,
The Cypriot economy is now emerging out of its most
challenging period to date. Last month, Cyprus has managed to successfully
complete the implementation of the macroeconomic adjustment programme that was
agreed with EU Institutions and IMF in March 2013. With vision, detailed
planning and prudence and with the responsible stance and hard work of the
Cypriot people, we made it possible to restore the credibility of the state and
the country’s financial sector, faster than anyone could have predicted three
years ago. 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 last three years are a prime example of what can be
achieved. In the first three months of 2013 the economy registered negative
growth rate of -5.7 per cent that peaked at -6.5 per cent in the second quarter
of the same year. Today, after almost
four years of recession, the Cyprus economy returned to positive economic growth
rates by registering GDP growth of +1.6 per cent in 2015. Furthermore, in March
2013, the fiscal deficit was between five to six per cent of GDP, while by the
end of 2015 the government managed not only to cover the deficit but also to
record a primary surplus of 2.5 per cent of GDP.
Furthermore, the Government policies and measures have
resulted in the stabilization of the financial system which was confirmed by the
positive results of the pan-European stress tests of the Quality of Assets and
Resilience under adverse situations. 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. The completion of the country’s
adjustment programme is not the end of the road.
We still need to tackle significant challenges and continue our policy
of changes, reforms and rationalisation of public finances in a serious manner,
sharpen our competitive edge and attract foreign direct investments. Our
ultimate goal is to achieve 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. While a common
understanding on an important number of issues has been reached in the
negotiating table, 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.
Your Excellency,
In welcoming
you to Cyprus, Mr High Commissioner, I would like to assure you, once more, of
the support of my Government to your valuable mission during the execution of
your High Duties. Furthermore, I kindly ask you to convey a message of genuine
friendship and good
will to the President of the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan, H.E. Mamnoon Hussain, as well as my best wishes for the well-being of
the Pakistani people”.
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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ΙΠ/ΕΙ
