Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received the credentials of the Ambassador of Colombia, stationed in Rome, Ms Gloria Isabel Ramirez Rios, during a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 6 February 2020.

Presenting her credentials, Ms Gloria Isabel Ramirez Rios, said:

“It is an honor for me to be here in this country today and represent the Colombian government, headed by President Ivan Duque, to the Republic of Cyprus. I accepted this designation with the commitment to strengthen the relations of friendship that have existed for years between our countries. Colombia is currently going through a path of transformation towards a future of equity and legality. The support of the international community and the European Union is essential to achieve the purposes of the President, Mr. Ivan Duque.

Our government is committed to the defense of democracy, through the consolidation of the peace agreement. As President Duque said in the United Nations General Assembly “today, amid obstacles, Colombia persists in building a culture of legality, in which, recognizing our differences, we opt for coexistence”. In the same way, we are making strong progress in environmental protection, entrepreneurship and innovation through the special impulse of the Orange Economy. In this sense, I would like to quote President Duque ‘we have advanced without pause towards the transformation of our productive model. Now, as never before, Colombia is moving on the path of an economy of inspiration’. Those are the ethical, social and political pillars that guide our country.

Similarly, Colombia supports an international order based on multilateralism and solidarity, necessary factors to solve international controversies and face challenges such as immigration. Colombia faces the challenge of thousands of Venezuelans who cross the border every day. We have received the migration of approximately 1.4 million of Venezuelans who fled from hunger and despair. Similarly, since 2017 we have provided Colombian nationality to more than 25,000 children of Venezuelan parents, born in Colombian with the risk of statelessness.

I would like to highlight the efforts of our Governments to maintain and strengthen our bilateral relations. We appreciate the appointment of Mr. Homer Mavrommatis as a non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Colombia, who presented his credentials on September 12^th. This undoubtedly reflects the interest in strengthening the relations. You can be sure that we will work closer on common issues, such as trade, tourism, cultural, education, and the topic mentioned by the non-resident ambassador ‘town-twinning partnerships’.

I want to underline that in 2019 the volume of exports from Colombia to Cyprus has increased. It was possible to export an important variety of products, among which coffee and flowers, which stood out. Thus, while in 2017 the total exports from Colombia to Cyprus were 401 thousand dollars, this figure increased to one million 360 thousand dollars in 2019.

I wish to reiterate my commitment to seek new areas of cooperation between Colombia and Cyprus, especially in commerce, tourism and cultural matters. I would like to highlight as well the ongoing dialogue held by our permanent delegations in New York, Geneva and other multilateral forums to work together on issues of common interest in the international agenda, as well as the mutual support of candidates in different international organizations, especially on maritime issues that are of mutual interest.

It is my ambition as a non-resident Ambassador, with the help of our Honorary Consulate, to continue working in fostering the culture of our country. We will strive to make the Cypriots aware of the immense opportunities that our country offers in different areas, especially investment, tourism, culture and education. Likewise, we will support the efforts made by Cyprus to achieve its objectives in our country. Mr. President, this is my first trip to Cyprus, but it will not be the last, count on all my efforts to continue visiting your country and make this relationship a true bilateral success”.

Receiving the credentials, the President said:

“Your Excellency,

It is with great pleasure that I receive today your Letters of Credence appointing you as the new Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the Republic of Cyprus. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations for your appointment. I would like to wish you every success in the performance of your high duties and to assure you that my Government will provide you with every assistance you may need in the fulfilment of your noble mission.

My Government looks forward to working closely with you in building upon the friendly relations that exist between our two countries and peoples. Cyprus and Colombia share common principles and values, evident through our common membership in international fora, especially the United Nations. May I express on this occasion, my Government’s appreciation for the record of reciprocal support between Cyprus and Colombia in international organisations.

I also wish to express my readiness to work with you towards the further strengthening of our bilateral relations and to explore new areas of cooperation. Cyprus values its cordial relations with Colombia also through the prism of EU-Colombia relationship and will continue to support the deepening and broadening of this cooperation in key areas like the peace process, security and defence and the environment.

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 the Republic of Colombia’s support and contribution towards our efforts to reach a viable and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem.

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 would kindly request you to convey to the President, His Excellency Mr. Iván Duque Márquez, my warmest greetings, and a message of sincere friendship and solidarity to the people of the Republic of Colombia”.

EH/SCH