The President of the
Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today, at a formal ceremony at the
Presidential Palace, the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Sultanate of
Oman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Salem bin Ahmed al – Shanfari
Presenting his credentials
the new Ambassador said:
“Your Excellency, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic
of Cyprus,
I am proud that his Majesty
Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, May God protect
him and keep him safe, accredited me to be the Ambassador Designate of the Sultanate of Oman to the Republic of Cyprus. I look forward
to working with the Republic
of Cyprus, on behalf
of his Majesty Sultan Qaboos
Bin Said, May God protect
him and keep him safe, and the Sultanate
of Oman on a variety
of issues of mutual importance.
I realize
that there is no higher honour than serving my country by representing its interests in a nation as
culturally affluent and internationally respected
as the Republic of Cyprus.
Mr President, I arrived in your country
on the 16th of January,
a year after your election in 2013. Therefore, I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to your Excellency and to all the Cypriots for this great victory.
The bilateral
relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the friendly Republic of Cyprus
are growing rapidly
and steadily. We look forward,
through the Embassies of the two countries in Muscat and Nicosia, to work on improving and developing the cooperation in different fields,
and opening horizons
to the business from both countries for investment and increasing the trade exchange, since both countries enjoy strategic locations
which qualify their ports to be starting points
towards the East and the West.
Our two countries share the political
and humanitarian visions for selfdetermination, reconciliation and social justice that have established our places in the world today.
We also have a similar
vision for a future world that is more peaceful
and prosperous. The time is now right
for establishing a
Comprehensive Partnership between our two nations to realize our mutual priorities for good governance and democracy; for human rights
and dignity; for peace and stability; for growth and development; and for creating
societies free of violence, unemployment and poverty.
Oman's diplomacy
is keen in the present
and the future
on the friendship of the world and on sowing
good and equal relations with each country,
taking positive steps through
the cooperation and the commitment to international conventions and UN principles in order to achieve the progress and development and securing of glοbal stability.
For this reason,
the interaction of Oman's
foreign policy
with all the events that have passed in the region and the whole world
is based on caution and wisdom.
Therefore, the Sultanate of Oman occupies
an important international position.
Mr President, in light of
the aforementioned, I would like to assure your Excellency that the Sultanate
of Oman supports the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, on
the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality.
Moreover, I would like to emphasize the constant position of the Sultanate of
Oman towards the implementation of the international resolutions of the
Security Council of the UN, which aim to unify the Republic of Cyprus in order to
have a single sovereignty, a single international personality, and a single
citizenship.
Mr President, my main task
is clear: to develop, enhance, and strengthen the relationships between the
Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Cyprus. I would be very glad to work with
you on accomplishing this task.
Mr President, in this era of
genuine friendship and unprecedented goodwill between our countries, may I
please present my letters of credence to you.
I sincerely wish you and
your country peace, progress and prosperity, and look forward to enjoying full
support from you and your Government to advance our common agenda and deepen
the strong friendship of our countries.”
Replying President
Anastasiades said: “Excellency,
It is with great pleasure
that I welcome you today to Cyprus and receive the Letters of Credence by which
you are appointed the first resident Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the
Republic of Cyprus. I take this opportunity to assure you that my Government
and I look forward to cooperating with you closely and to providing you with
any assistance possible in the performance of your duties.
Cyprus and Oman share
common characteristics such as the welcoming nature of their people and a rich
historical and cultural heritage. We are
indeed satisfied with the steps taken in recent years for the development of
our bilateral relations, such as the opening of an embassy of the Republic of
Cyprus in Muscat, the first visit of a Foreign Minister in Cyprus in January
2013 and the signing of several bilateral agreements. However, let me say
that the potential for further enhancement of relations is still great. I would like to see our two countries working
closer together, in all fields. To that end, the decision of the Sultanate of
Oman to open an Embassy in Nicosia, which indeed constitutes a milestone in our
relations, will further boost efforts of our two countries to strengthen
bilateral cooperation.
Let me also assure you
that Oman has a close friend within the European Union. Cyprus will continue
promoting EU- Oman relations.
Mr Ambassador,
I am convinced that the
reunification of Cyprus will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the
turbulent region of the Eastern Mediterranean, which is in much need of
security and prosperity. In this respect, I would like to reiterate my
commitment and resolve to work relentlessly aiming at reaching a viable and
lasting settlement based on a series of High-Level Agreements between the
leaders of the two communities and the relevant United Nations Resolutions that
will address the concerns of both communities and of all Cypriots. As President of the
Republic, I am committed more than ever before to do my utmost
in order to end the division and reunify the island.
In this framework, my
primary goal is the re-launching of negotiations under UN auspices that will be
properly and thoroughly prepared and unequivocally conducted in accordance with
the United Nations resolutions providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation
with political equality, as defined in the relevant resolutions with a single
sovereignty, single citizenship and single international personality and
restoring and respecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all
Cypriots and their longing to live in a normal and prosperous European country.
These objectives must be jointly and clearly shared in order for the negotiating
process to bear fruit. The settlement must serve, above all, the legitimate
interests and aspirations of the people of Cyprus as a whole.
Excellency,
Once again, let me
reiterate the great importance that the Republic of Cyprus attaches to the strengthening
of its
relations with the Sultanate of Oman, at both the bilateral and multilateral
levels.
I would be grateful if
your Excellency could convey to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said our
best wishes for good health and happiness, and to the Government and the people
of your great country, our warmest greetings for peace and prosperity.
Excellency, I warmly
welcome you to Cyprus.”
Present at the ceremony
were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, the Director of the
Office of the President, Mr Panayiotis Antoniou, and the Chief of Protocol, Mr
Nearchos Palas.
