The
President of the Republic receives the credentials
of
the High Commissioner of New Zealand
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
New Zealand to Cyprus, stationed in Rome, Mr Patrick John Rata.
Presenting
his credentials, Mr Rata said:
“Mr
President,
Allow
me to present the Letter of Credence by which His Excellency the
Governor-General of New Zealand has appointed me to be High Commissioner of
New Zealand to the Republic of Cyprus.
I also present the Letter of Recall of my predecessor.
It
is a deep honour for me to serve as High Commissioner to your country.
New Zealand’s
relations with Cyprus are long-standing and strong, based on our common status
as small states and shared Commonwealth heritage. We also hold similar values and take common
approaches on many regional and international issues.
There
is considerable political cooperation between our two countries. Also, in past years our two countries have
undertaken bilateral work including a social security agreement and a working
holiday scheme. New Zealand wishes to
see this work progress further.
Trade
between our two count
r
ies is modest. However, New Zealand is
determined to grow the commercial links, both bilaterally and through the
completion of a free trade agreement with the European Union. Cyprus has been a close friend and advocate
of our interests in the EU; we appreciate this support and hope it will extend
further as New Zealand tries to realise its ambition of a trade deal with the
Union.
On
the question of Cyprus, New Zealand recognises only the Government of the
Republic of Cyprus. New Zealand has
consistently supported the UN’s efforts to find a solution to end the division
of the island. New Zealand contributed
a police contingent to UNFICYP in the 1960s.
As well, an eminent New Zealander, Dame Ann Hercus, served as the UN
Secretary General’s Special Representative on Cyprus in 1998 and 1999, in
efforts to re-open channels of communication between the two communities.
We
consider that the key to a peaceful, just and lasting solution to the Cyprus
question lies in the continuation of negotiations under UN auspices. We acknowledge that a solution cannot be
externally imposed. An agreement can
ultimately only be reached between the parties involved, and we do not
underestimate the difficulties involved in achieving this. We are however encouraged that there is
broad agreement on the outline of a final settlement.
As
a current member of the United Nations Security Council, New Zealand has
committed to deepen our understanding of the issues involved in the Cyprus
question and the obstacles to progress.
We have also asked the Council to consider how it might use its
collective influence to help bring the parties back to the table.
Mr
President, I take this opportunity to renew to you the assurance of the
Governor-General’s continuing interest in and best wishes for the welfare and
prosperity of the Republic of Cyprus. I
convey warm greetings from the Government and people of New Zealand. And I look forward to the work I must now
undertake to advance the friendly bilateral relations between our two
countries.”
Replying
the President of the Republic said:
“Excellency,
It
is a great pleasure to welcome you to Cyprus and receive your Letters of
Credence, as the New High Commissioner of New Zealand. I would like to wish you
every success in your high duties.
New
Zealand and Cyprus share the same values and principles enshrined in
International Law and the United Nations Charter, which help promote peace,
security and development. This common set of values is also reflected in our
excellent cooperation in international fora such as the United Nations, the
Commonwealth and ASEM.
New
Zealand actively participated on the allied side in two world wars, bravely
contributing to the struggle against fascism and the triumph of freedom and
democracy in WWII. In addition, your country was among the very first to
announce its presence here in Cyprus fifty-one years ago, as a member of
UNFICYP. We are indeed very grateful for that contribution.
Recently,
your country was elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of
the United Nations for the period 2015-2016, a fitting tribute to all its
contribution to peace keeping throughout the years. Cyprus strongly believes
that New Zealand has the capacity to fulfill this new role successfully,
especially at a time of great uncertainty, where international peace and the
rule of law are being seriously challenged. This is why Cyprus firmly supported
New Zealand’s candidature for the UN Security Council and we wish you all the
best in your difficult mission. We are sure that our extraordinary cooperation
will continue and expand further in the future.
Mr
High Commissioner,
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 full recovery.
Cyprus
has made great progress in 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 high; the
private and public sectors are seriously 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 bicommunal, bizonal 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 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 Prime Minister of New Zealand, H.E. Mr. John Phillip Key,
as well as to the people of New Zealand.”
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.
