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It is with great pleasure that
I welcome to Cyprus my good friend and excellent colleague, Anže Logar. Anže
and I have been eager to exchange visits, and so I am very pleased to host
him today and very much look forward to visiting Ljubljana.
As Slovenia prepares to assume
the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of
2021 – during these peculiar and challenging circumstances created by the
pandemic, that call for European solidarity and resilience - Anže’s visit is
both timely and valuable.
Slovenia and Cyprus joined the
European Union together in 2004. Two like-minded countries, members of the
big family of the European Union with common approaches, common values, that
see eye to eye on an array of issues on the EU agenda.
During our deliberations today,
we had the opportunity to review issues across the spectrum of our bilateral
relations. We noted with satisfaction that our cooperation is at a high level,
with increased bilateral exchanges particularly since the signing, three
years ago, of the renewed Memorandum of Understanding on Political
Consultations between the two Ministries. With that as our springboard, we
are moving towards further enhancing our dialogue, setting it on a regular
basis, so as to foster synergies and increase cooperation in areas such as
tourism, education and culture, business and trade.
We of course exchanged views on
current, pressing issues on our European agenda, focusing on EU-Turkey
relations, migration, as well as the pandemic. We also discussed regional and
international developments of common interest.
Anže informed me of Slovenia’s
interest to join the MED7 framework. This is certainly an issue that will be
discussed in the forum by all 7 M-S, but what I can say is that Cyprus sees
the merit and value of Slovenia joining the Forum and will fully support such
a development.
Dear friends,
I had today the opportunity to
express Cyprus’s appreciation for Slovenia’s unwavering support in our
efforts to reunite Cyprus in a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, through a
comprehensive settlement in line with UN Security Council Resolutions. I
briefed Anže on the current state of play in the UNSG’s efforts to resume
negotiations, and reiterated our readiness to continue negotiations on the
basis of the framework of the UN Secretary-General, the existing convergences
and the joint declaration of February 2014, while expressing the hope that
the same level of commitment will be displayed by all involved.
Anže fully understands the
importance of ensuring that a comprehensive settlement must be in line with
UN Security Council Resolutions, the UN Charter, EU law values and
principles, and that reunited Cyprus must be a functional state, a viable
Member State of the EU, and a stable, reliable actor in its region. A modern
European State not tied back by anachronistic systems and structures that
have no place in the 21st century.
We also agreed that as we
strive for a meaningful process, it is important to impress upon everyone
involved the need to refrain from illegal actions and provocations that pose
the risk of derailing efforts. The EU has a special role in this regard.
I would like to take this
opportunity to publicly thank Slovenia, and Anže personally, for the
solidarity consistently displayed by Slovenia, not only in words, but in
action, for the clear positions they have articulated on the need for the EU
to act appropriately and effectively when its Member States are facing external
threats and challenges and in defending member states sovereignty and
sovereign rights.
Dear Anže,
In welcoming you once again,
rest assured that this excellent level of cooperation will continue,
enhancing it even further ahead and during Slovenia’s upcoming Presidency of
the Council of the European Union. Cyprus will fully support the Slovenian
Presidency, that I am certain will be based on transparency, openness and
sensitivity to the positions and concerns of all member states.
Before turning the floor over
to you, I wish to thank you once again for your visit in these particularly
challenging times and I look forward to continuing our deliberations over
lunch.
EH
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