Germany recognizes and
attributes special significance to the geostrategic role that the Republic of
Cyprus can play, the Government Spokesman, Mr Nicos Christodoulides said today.
In his remarks to the Press,
on the sidelines of the President of the Republic’s official visit to Germany,
the Spokesman said: “The results of the
visit are considered to be very satisfactory.
Let me remind you that
the visit, the first after 24 years, took place following an invitation from
Mrs. Merkel.”
He added that “there is
a common belief for the need to strengthen our bilateral relations through
regular contacts at all levels. I should note that the President of the
Republic was accompanied by the Ministers of Finance and Communications,
whereas a few weeks ago the Minister of Foreign Affairs was in Berlin. This
kind of meetings will continue.
There are many issues of
common interest that come up, among others also those stemming from our common
status as member states of the EU and the important German presence in Cypriot
shipping. Germany recognizes and attributes special significance to the
geostrategic role that the Republic of Cyprus can play. The recent discovery of
hydrocarbons in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and the
efforts for their exploitation can and should work for the benefit of the
energy security of Europe, establishing Cyprus as a new European energy center.
We welcome the support
of Germany on our positions concerning the Cyprus problem.
It is very important
that Mrs. Merkel referred publicly to the need for the solution (to the Cyprus
problem) to be compatible with the European acquis, to the more active
involvement of Brussels in the process for the Cyprus problem, as well as to
the added value that substantive confidence-building measures will have for the
dialogue that is taking place.
With regard to the
economy, there is recognition for the significant effort that is being made by
the Government, the political parties, the social partners and by the people of
Cyprus in general. The recent upgrades (by international credit rating
agencies) and the positive evaluations by the Troika are indications of the
positive course for the recovery of the Cyprus economy. In this context, the
consultations that concern economic and technical assistance and support from
Germany in specific sectors are at an advanced stage.
There was a common
belief for the need to support the small to medium businesses, as well as for
addressing the problem of unemployment, especially with regard to the young
people. Both of these issues, in addition to being a priority for the Republic
of Cyprus, are also broader issues that worry Berlin, since they touch also on
the issue of Europe’s competitiveness, in general, vis-à-vis the USA and Asia.
Finally, there was an
expression of the common concerns about the situation in Ukraine and the way to
address the crisis. The two countries, I would say, have identical views and
approaches with regard to the ways and the means to deal with the situation
as it has developed.”
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