Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received the credentials of the Ambassador of Belgium stationed in Athens, Ms Françoise Gustin, during a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 6 February 2020.  

Presenting her credentials, Ms Françoise Gustin, speaking in English, said:

“To His Excellency, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus,

It is a great honour for me today to hand over to You the letter through which His Majesty Philippe, King of the Belgians, accredits me as Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Cyprus as well as the letter of recall of my predecessor.

Allow me also to express my sincere gratitude for the beautiful reception organized at this occasion at the Presidential Palace.

Belgium was among the 10 first countries to recognize Cyprus in 1960. Since then, we developed, not only bilaterally but as well multilaterally in the European Union and in the United Nations, a strong and stable partnership relying on mutual trust and understanding. Recently Belgium also supported a recent EU unanimous decision on the illegality of the foreign drillings in the Cypriot territorial waters and on the need to respect international law.

In the EU our two countries are indeed linked by the community of values we firmly believe in. The Member States and the EU Institutions managed to make the EU a unique area of peace, of stability, of prosperity and of liberty. We are aware of the current challenges that risk to undermine the European Union’s cohesion and its inter-European solidarity like the question of migration to which Cyprus is very much exposed. We believe it has become urgent to review the EU asylum mechanism in a spirit of responsibility and solidarity and to find appropriate and common solutions to these challenges.

On the bilateral side and beyond the dense network of bilateral agreements and regular political contacts, let us also recall that Belgium always stands ready to offer assistance to partners. For instance, when we brought some expertise to Cyprus in different fields like constitutional law or through the Support Group to Cyprus coordinated by the Commission during the period of financial turbulence.

In this regard, Belgium welcomes the way the Republic of Cyprus has been able to recover from those difficult years and commends the country for its achievements and the positive growth perspectives. Your personal leadership was and is in this context of crucial importance.

Finally, I want also to recall that Belgium is currently seating as a non-permanent member in the Security Council of the United Nations and closely follows the developments concerning the Cyprus question.

The recent meeting in Berlin under the leadership of Mr Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, was a step forward in the right direction and Belgium supports all efforts which could be made to progress on the negotiation of the Terms of Reference. In this regard, we fully and strongly support the Secretary General in the good offices he provides to both parties in order to find a fair and sustainable solution in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

The mandate of UNFICYP has recently once more been extended and Belgium fully supported this extension as well as the work accomplished by UNFICYP. We will further attach the highest important to the full respect of its mandate.

Finally, Belgium will also continue to support the implementation of confidence building measures which are essential to develop trust between the parties. Indeed, we firmly believe that enhancing mutual understanding is essential and that unilateral actions on the contrary are not likely at all to achieve any result and should be avoided.

We believe a solution to the Cyprus issue would be of a major importance in the history not only of the European Union but also of the United Nations. Therefore, Belgium will continue to welcome any diplomatic effort made under your courageous leadership in order to turn this ambition into reality.

Receiving the credentials, the President said:

“Your Excellency,

It is with distinct pleasure and sincere feelings of friendship that I receive today your Letters of Credence appointing you the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Cyprus.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Belgium in 1960, our bilateral relations have developed and expanded steadily. As partners within the family of the European Union, we also recognize that our present and future are intertwined. We fully acknowledge the significant potential that exists for the further enhancement of our bilateral relations in all areas.

Excellency,

As regards the economy, following the severe economic crisis of 2013, Cyprus has achieved a return to positive growth rates since 2015. For 2019, the growth rate is estimated at 3.2%, while medium-term macroeconomic forecasts project a robust growth of around 3% in the years to come. Public finances have been set - and they continue to be - on a sustainable management path. In particular, for 2019 the budget surplus is expected to be at 3.8% as a percentage of GDP. The labour market is continuing to record steady progress, with an estimation of 7% unemployment for 2019, compared with 8.4% the previous year. The percentage decline in unemployment is among the largest in the EU and it is projected that by 2020 we will return to full employment conditions.

The banking system, re-focusing its operations and fully adhering to the strictest international transparency and compliance regulations, is now based on a stronger and healthier base in terms of capitalization, liquidity and profitability. Remarkable progress has also been achieved with respect to non-performing loans. The positive outlook of the Cypriot economy, as well as effective actions in the banking sector, have strengthened the confidence of investors and of International Credit Rating Agencies, reflected through a number of successive upgrades, currently classifying Cyprus at the investment grade.

Our commitment as a Government is to remain focused on maintaining and broadening the conditions under which surpluses and high growth rates can be generated, to continue promoting structural reforms and improving the country’s business environment.

Your Excellency,

I am aware of your particular interest as regards the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem and the prospect of resuming the negotiating process. Following the renewed active involvement of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a tripartite meeting was convened last November in Berlin between Mr. Guterres, the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Akinci and myself. It was a productive meeting which our side considers as a positive step in our efforts to conclude the “Terms of Reference” and resume the peace process in the framework of the Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary-General.

Such a development would allow us to hold an informal Conference on Cyprus in the format of the previous ones, which would give the opportunity to all stakeholders to discuss the modalities that should guide the possible resumption of meaningful and well-prepared negotiations.

Taking this opportunity, I wish to express my personal appreciation, as well as that of my Government and the people of the Republic of Cyprus, for Belgium’s support and contribution towards our efforts to reach a viable and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem, as well as your country’s generous contribution throughout the years to the Committee of Missing Persons in Cyprus.

Regrettably, Turkey continues to act as a “spoiler” by, amongst others, turning to military threats, illegal drilling activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, threats to open the fenced-off city of Ammochostos and signing an illegal Memorandum of Understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea with Libya.

Actions which have been condemned in the strongest manner by the international community and the EU, since they do not comply with the notion of good neighbourly relations, international law and particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and infringe upon the sovereign rights of third States. Actions which, apart from escalating tensions in our already turbulent region, have also a huge negative effect on our efforts to resume the peace process and do not create the necessary conditions for all parties to engage in a results-oriented dialogue.

We do hope that Turkey will finally adopt a more realistic and constructive approach by refraining from actions which do not create the necessary conditions of establishing an environment conducive to having productive negotiations on an equal footing.

We also hope that Turkish stakeholders will finally acknowledge the overwhelming benefit of becoming part of our regional cooperation agenda and of positively working towards a viable solution to the Cyprus problem which would reunify Cyprus and its people and enhance regional stability.

Despite the challenges we face, I wish to assure you that I remain strongly committed in engaging in a new round of negotiations, once conditions permit it, with the aim to reach a lasting, viable and comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue, in line with the European acquis, international law and the relevant UN Resolutions. A settlement that will safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, ensuring the peaceful and prosperous co-existence of all Cypriots, Greek and Turkish, without any third country dependencies, military troops and guarantees.

Your Excellency,

In welcoming you to Cyprus, I wish you every success in your noble mission, aimed at providing new impetus to the development of the relations between our two countries. I am certain that you will serve with vigour and determination to the benefit of both our countries.In this respect, I wish to assure you that both I and my Government will provide you with all the necessary assistance in the performance of your high duties.

Please allow me to kindly request that you convey to His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium, Her Excellency, Ms Sophie Wilmes, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium,as well as to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Belgium our warmest greetings and a message of amity”.

(ND/SCH)