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It is with great pleasure that
I welcome to Cyprus my dear friend, the President of Portugal, Mr
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Your visit dear Marcelo
constitutes a turning point in the relations between our countries, since it
is the first ever official visit by a President of the Portuguese Republic to
the Republic of Cyprus.
Hence, it reflects the joint
commitment we attach to injecting new momentum to our close and fruitful
cooperation, both bilaterally and in the EU and other international fora.
During our consultations with
President Sousa, we had the opportunity to review the full spectrum of our
bilateral relations and to discuss specific ways in which we could explore
opportunities for enhancing our cooperation, particularly in the fields of
trade, education, investments, economic collaboration and tourism, on which
there is untapped potential.
To this end, we both agreed to
take specific steps that will advance the interaction between the Cypriot and
Portuguese business communities, as well as to forge a closer collaboration
between our competent tourism authorities and the private sector with the aim
to achieve an increase in peoples’ flows through establishing direct flights
between the two countries.
Evident also of our readiness
to enhance our institutional framework of our partnership, is the signing
today of the Bilateral Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of
Classified Information.
With President Sousa we also
had the opportunity to touch on major issues on the European agenda, such as
the green transition, Europe’s energy security and the current economic
situation.
And I cannot stress enough how
important is for the Southern countries of the EU to cooperate and support
each other to tackle the challenges we are facing. To this end, I believe
that our group of dialogue, the MED9, can act as a driving force within the Union
by assuming a key role in its future and in advancing our common interests.
During our deliberations, I
conveyed to dear Marcelo, that Cyprus supports all measures aiming at
strengthening energy autonomy and the security of supply of member-states and
of the Union, always taking into account national specificities and industry
needs.
At the same time, our decisions
should not lead to a situation in which energy companies either redirect
their volumes to other countries with high prices or become hesitant to
invest in new projects in the EU.
And having talked about new
projects, I stressed that Cyprus, due to its excellent relations and
long-standing synergies with neighbouring countries, stands ready to assume a
significant role and be part of the energy solutions that the Eastern
Mediterranean region has to offer with concrete projects.
Two such landmark examples are
that of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, which provides an ideal platform
through which the EU itself can outreach in order to promote its energy
agenda, as well as the creation of electricity interconnectors, namely the
EuroAsia and EuroAfrica, which can enrich the security of energy supply.
Dear Marcelo your visit is
taking place almost eight months after the Russian invasion in Ukraine which
continues to create devastating humanitarian, energy and food security crises
around the world.
From the very beginning the EU
has stood firmly by Ukraine, also unequivocally condemning the recent illegal
annexation by Russia of four Ukrainian regions which defy the rules-based
international order and are contrary to the provisions of the UN Charter.
And having talked about the
violations of international law and the UN Charter, I cannot fail but remind
that Cyprus, is also a victim of such violations and still suffers from the
1974 illegal Turkish invasion and the continued occupation of one third of
the Republic of Cyprus.
And as we witness, dear
Marcelo, as to how the international community responded in a united and
decisive way to the injustice and violation of Ukraine’s independence
sovereignty and territorial integrity, we expect our partners to demonstrate
the same decisiveness and unity enforcing international law on the Cyprus
issues and in safeguarding our sovereignty and sovereign rights.
This is all the more applicable
following Turkey’s unacceptable position in favour of a two – state solution
or its ongoing violations on the sea and at ground.
As I also made clear, I will
continue undertaking initiatives to break the current impasse, such as the
Confidence Building Measures that I have proposed and which I truly believe,
provided that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side positively respond and
refrain from raising tensions, can contribute to establishing a conducive
environment that will positively support our efforts in resuming the process.
Taking this opportunity, I
would like to publicly express my gratitude to President Sousa for Portugal’s
principled stance and continued support all these years in our efforts to
reunify Cyprus and its people.
Mr President, my dear friend
Marcelo, please accept once again my sincere appreciation for your visit,
which opens a new chapter, a new chapter in our relations to the mutual
benefit of our countries and peoples.
(RM/EK/IK)
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