The
President of the Republic receives the credentials
of
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 Cyprus, stationed in Beirut, Mr Ghulam Rasool Malik.
Presenting
his credentials, Mr Malik said:
“Mr
President,
I
have the honour to convey to you, government and friendly people of the Republic
of Cyprus, sincere greetings and best wishes from President Mamnoon Hussain and
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for progress and prosperity of the Republic
of Cyprus. I feel honoured at being nominated High Commissioner of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Cyprus.
Pakistan
attaches great significance to its relations with the Republic of Cyprus which
is an important member of the EU and the Commonwealth. Pakistan and Cyprus
traditionally enjoyed close and cordial relations based on mutual respect and
cooperation. It would be my earnest
desire to further fortify our longstanding relations in an ever-evolving
world. It is with this strong sense of
purpose that I look forward to the privilege of representing the interests and
values of my country and contributing to the deepening of our relations. During my tenure I will strive to further
enhance bilateral ties.
Mr
President,
I
am also looking forward to further strengthening our trade and economic
relations aimed at the further development of bilateral investments and
engagement between the private sectors of our two countries. Both Cyprus and the
EU are important trade partners of Pakistan and we are very keen to continuing
to work together to further develop this mutually beneficial partnership.
Mr
President,
Pakistan
and Cyprus have extended support to each other at various international
fora. We look forward to continued
cooperation in various spheres. Pakistan supports the efforts towards a
comprehensive, viable and fair settlement of the Cyprus problem based on UN
resolutions and High Level Agreements.
Mr
President,
Let
me conclude by reiterating my desire to use my long experience at the Foreign
Service for 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, appointing me as High Commissioner of Pakistan to Cyprus.”
Replying
the President of the Republic said:
“
Your Excellency,
It
gives me great pleasure to receiver your Letters of Credence as the new High
Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Cyprus. May I wish you every success in your
important duties.
My
Government hopes that during your tenure, due attention will be given to
improving and enhancing the level of the relations between our two countries. In
fact, this is essential, given the important geopolitical position of each in
their respective volatile regions. The assumption of your duties can become an
opportunity for putting our bilateral relations on the right track, enhancing
our cooperation within International organizations and strengthening the legal
framework by negotiating and finalizing a number of important bilateral
Agreements.
Mr
High Commissioner,
Pakistan
is indeed going through troubled and challenging times. Cyprus fully comprehends
and encourages the efforts by your Government to combat and eradicate the
scourge of terrorism. As we can neither underestimate nor ignore the nature and
purpose of terrorism, our response must be as emphatic and determined as
circumstances demand it to be. My Government does not subscribe to the clash of
civilizations theory, as an explanation for the phenomenon of terrorism, nor do
we accept war among religions as a justification of the malaise. On the
contrary. Terrorism’s indiscriminate targets and criminal indifference to human
life testify to its cruelty and the need to stand firm and resolute vis-à-vis
the challenge it poses.
Your
Excellency,
Almost
two years have passed since the decision of the Eurogroup of March 2013. As a
result of the hard work of the Government and the efforts of the ordinary
citizens, I can state with certainty that we have turned the page; the Cypriot
economy is now on the road to recovery.
Cyprus
has made great progress on its reform program during these two years. The credit
institutions have been restructured and recapitalized. New administrators and
boards have assumed office. Most importantly, foreign capital has been invested
both in the Bank of Cyprus and the Hellenic Bank. Domestic restrictions on
capital movements imposed at the height of the crisis have been removed. Public
finances have been consolidated and important structural reforms, including a
privatizations’ roadmap, have been initiated. These achievements helped Cyprus
re-access international capital markets during 2014.
At
the same time, we are aware of the challenges ahead. Unemployment is very high;
the private and public sectors are heavily indebted. The banking sector remains
vulnerable given the high percentage of non-performing loans and tight funding
conditions. Among other initiatives, the Government campaign to attract foreign
investments and the reform of the foreclosure regime and the insolvency
framework are intended to address these challenges.
Our
emphasis is now turned towards the necessary structural reforms. The focus of my
Government is on drafting a growth strategy, a “Cypriot reform program”, with
the overall aim to build the foundations for sustainable growth over the long
run, to attract foreign investments and to create a new economic model for the
country.
The
commitment of my Government to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding
agreed with the Troika is unequivocal. The way forward is not easy, but I have
absolute confidence that the spirit of unity and the drive to succeed already
demonstrated by the people of Cyprus, will prevail.
Excellency,
The
new negotiating process on the Cyprus question, launched with the adoption of
the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014, raised expectations for a
comprehensive settlement and the reunification of our country and its people.
Turkey’s illegal and provocative actions in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone
since October 2014, however, subverted the very basic principle of negotiations,
that is, the engagement of all sides on an equal footing, free from threats and
blackmail. Under these circumstances, there was no option for the Government of
Cyprus but to suspend talks.
The
resumption of results-oriented negotiations, aiming at a comprehensive, viable
and fair settlement of the Cyprus issue, remains our first priority. A
settlement based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality,
as set out in the relevant Security Council Resolutions and the High Level
Agreements, with a single international legal personality, a single sovereignty
and a single citizenship, safeguarding the principles upon which the European
Union is founded and ensuring the peaceful co-existence and prosperity of all
Cypriots.
At
the same time, a settlement would have a positive impact on the entire region,
while first and foremost benefiting Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots,
respecting democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms and
ensuring their common future in a united Cyprus within the European Union.
What
we need now is the implementation of measures that will restore confidence, and
not measures that increase mistrust among the legal citizens of the island,
through actions that violate international law. In this respect, I call the
Turkish Cypriot leadership and in particular Turkey to demonstrate genuine
political will and negotiate in good faith, so as to contribute constructively
to the efforts to reach a settlement as soon as possible, not only in theory and
rhetoric, but through practical and substantial actions.
On
my behalf, I would like to reiterate my sincere willingness and determination to
work tirelessly to achieve a settlement reuniting Cyprus. It is the historically
shared responsibility of the leaders of the two communities and all stakeholders
involved to uphold these ambitions and find the right way forward. It is a
responsibility which I am whole-heartedly committed in undertaking.
Mr
High Commissioner,
In
the discharge of your duties, you may count on the full support of my
Government. Let me seize the opportunity to convey a message of friendship and
personal health to the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr
Mamnoon Hussain and to the people of Pakistan.”
Present
at the ceremony were the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and
Environment, Mr Nicos Kouyialis, the Head of Presidency at the Presidential
Palace, Mr Kypros Kyprianou, and the Chief of Protocol, Mr Marios
Kountourides.
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