Address by the President of the
Republic Mr N. Anastasiades
at the opening ceremony of the
Confucius Institute, Univ. of Cyprus
Eminent
guests,
Ladies and
gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure that I
address today the opening ceremony of the Confucius Institute at the University
of Cyprus. The establishment of this
Institute provides ample proof of the friendship and strong cooperation between
the friendly countries of Cyprus and China.
Cultural interaction, exchange of
knowledge and academic research are essential tools for bridging civilizations
and building understanding between cultures.
The Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus will be a prime
example of such valuable interaction between Cyprus and China.
Business and economic collaborations
will undoubtedly also play an important role in this respect; an institution
which focuses on enhancing such collaborations is essential for building
strategic partnerships.
I am certain that the collaboration of
the University of Cyprus and the Beijing Institute of Education will be a bright
example of exceptional partnership, which will enhance the bonds between our two
countries on various levels.
Learning the Chinese Language, realizing the uniqueness of the
Chinese culture, bringing Cypriot and Chinese people together in order to
interact and communicate is fundamental.
Visits from China to Cyprus have increased over the past years, against
the general backdrop of globalization and increased human mobility. Many Chinese
nationals have decided to leave and work in Cyprus. In an effort to foster
understanding and communication, it is crucial to concentrate on the interaction
of the two civilizations, embrace and exchange ideas on our long and rich
histories, cultures and traditions.
For these reasons, I believe that the
University of Cyprus is the ideal institution to foster these bonds.
Citizens worldwide have never been so
close to each other, regardless of their geographical location. While technology and social media are
bridging geographical distances, what we are called to do is to create the
conditions for strong social, cultural and academic bonds. The cooperation between the University of
Cyprus and the Beijing Institute of Education via the Confucius Institute at the
University of Cyprus will lead to innovative and progressive collaborations in
the academic, research and educational fields, which will pave the way for the
“blossoming” of the already dynamic relationship between our two peoples.
At this point I would like to express
the government’s gratitude to the People’s Republic of China and the Embassy of
China in Cyprus for their support in the establishment and operation of the
Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus.
My appreciation extends also to the
staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and the
Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance for their contribution in
making the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus a reality.
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