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Today I welcome my friend, the
Italian Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, to Nicosia.
His presence at this important
juncture and the substantial consultations we have had are proof of our
common will and desire to further strengthen the traditionally excellent
relations between our two countries, and of course the historical ties
between the peoples of Cyprus and Italy.
To this end, my friend Luigi
and I exchanged views today on practical ways to enhance our cooperation in
existing areas of action, as well as to expand it to new fields of
cooperation.
In this context, we have set
specific priorities as regards our bilateral cooperation, with an emphasis on
trade and investment, tourism, education, research and culture.
We noted with satisfaction that
trade between the two countries is extensive and welcomed the initiative of
the Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, which successfully organized last
December, the 3rd Cyprus-Italy Business Forum, with the aim of creating
favorable conditions and opportunities for economic, trade and tourism
cooperation. At the same time, in the field of Research and Innovation, we
have put forward the signing of a bilateral "Executive Program"
with the aim of financing joint research projects.
Furthermore, we discussed our
cooperation as regards antiquities, in the framework of which the signing of
a relevant Memorandum of Cooperation for the protection of cultural property
is promoted, as well as our bilateral cooperation in the field of education,
and more specifically the renewal of the relevant Cooperation Program for the
period 2021-2025.
Dear Friends,
Undoubtedly, our bilateral
relations have been upgraded in recent years, due to the energy cooperation
of the Republic of Cyprus with the Italian company ENI, which carries out
work in the Cyprus EEZ. I consider it a fortunate coincidence that our
meeting today takes place on the same day as the Ministerial Meeting of the
EMGF (the Energy Forum in Cairo), of which both Cyprus and Italy, together
with five other States, are the founding members, sending messages of
cooperation in the wider region. It is our common belief that the momentum of
energy synergies created by the EMGF are of strategic importance for the
wider region and beyond, and we also agree that participation in the Forum is
open to all States in the region that are ready to share our vision for
regional cooperation under international law, including the Convention on the
Law of the Sea, and the basic principles of good neighborly relations. Our
sole goal is to create and strengthen conditions of peace, cooperation,
stability and prosperity in the wider region.
With my friend Luigi, we also
discussed regional developments in the wider southeastern Mediterranean, in
our common neighborhood, with particular emphasis on the cooperation of our
countries in Med 7, the situation in Libya, and of course immigration. Cyprus
attaches great importance to achieving stability in Libya, and supports the
efforts of the United Nations and the political process of establishing a
provisional government that will lead the country to the December elections.
With regard to Immigration, I
would like to emphasize our positive approach to the text of the Immigration
and Asylum Pact, and our strong desire - as a front-line Member State under
excessive pressure, to strengthen the principle of solidarity and to
establish a binding reallocation mechanism for beneficiaries of international
protection.
As expected, we also discussed
developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the light of Turkish illegal
activities and the relevant, joint EU decisions and conclusions, and in view
of the forthcoming European Council later this month. The sovereignty of the
Union is rooted and inextricably linked to the sovereignty of its 27 Member
States and therefore, by collectively defending the sovereignty of the Member
States, we also ensure the sovereignty of the Union itself.
In this context, and on the
basis of the relevant EU Conclusions, Turkey is expected to demonstrate in
practice its sincere will to improve its relations with the EU and each and
every Member State. Any decision to adopt a positive agenda in EU-Turkey
relations depends solely on Ankara, which must, among other, end any illegal
activities, both on land and at sea, but must also contribute substantially
to achieving a solution to a predominantly European problem such as the
Cyprus problem, based on the relevant UN resolutions and EU principles and
values. A solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the bizonal,
bicommunal federation, which will be sustainable and functional. Cyprus is
and will remain an EU Member after reunification, and given Turkey's publicly
proclaimed wish to strengthen Euro-Turkish relations, the EU's role in the
negotiations is - possibly more than ever before – of crucial and vital
importance.
My dear friend Luigi,
I warmly welcome you again to
Cyprus, thank you for the honest and constructive talks we had. I look
forward to continuing them during the working lunch that will follow.
(SCH)
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