Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received the credentials of the Ambassador of Brazil, Mr Eduardo Augusto Ibiapina de Seixas, during a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 8 October 2020.

Presenting his credentials, Mr de Seixas, speaking in English, said:

“Your Excellency,

It is an honour for me to present to Your Excellency the letters of Credence accrediting me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Republic of Cyprus.

I also seize the occasion to present to Your Excellency the letters of Recall of my Predecessor, Ambassador João Inácio Oswald Padillha.

It was an honour for me to be appointed by the President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, as Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus. Please be assured that I will make the best of my efforts, in coordination with the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Brazil, Evagoras Vryonides, to continue to strengthen the relations between our two countries. 

Your Excellency,

I am fully aware of your interest in the negotiation of an agreement between our countries in order to avoid double taxation. My predecessor, Ambassador João Inácio Oswald Padilha, had the opportunity to inform you that the recent letter from the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Cyprus to the Minister of Economy of Brazil is being carefully considered.

I firmly believe that there is a fertile ground for the strengthening of our relations. And most importantly, we are not starting from scratch. For instance, the generic drug industry has broad development in both countries. I recall that, in 2012, investments of Cyprus in Brazil totaled US$ 120 million, most of which were directed towards the production of medicine.

Furthermore, the stock of Cyprus investment in Brazil, in 2013, reached US$ 645 million, making your country the 37th largest investor in Brazil.

The commercial exchange between our two countries has been modest. This fact should not be seen as an inhibiting factor, but as an evidence of the potential for growth. I strongly believe that the recently signed Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur will enhance the creation of new opportunities for economic growth in both sides.

In this context, I am sure that a greater interaction between the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Brazilian industry and commerce federations would allow a better understanding of our economic agents about the existing opportunities and possibilities, whether it be in the commercial sphere or in the field of investments.

Brazil has always supported all efforts by the United Nations Secretary Generals to resolve the Cyprus problem, including the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. In this regard, I would like to point out that it was up to a Brazilian, General Carlos Flores Paiva Chaves, Commander of the United Nations Emergency Force in Suez, the mission entrusted by the United Nations Secretary General, U-Thant, to deploy the Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.

It was up to the Brazilian Ambassador Carlos Alfredo Bernardes to act as Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, in Cyprus, between September 1964 and January 1967.

Brazil contributes annually with a military observer, usually an Army captain, as part of the Argentine contingent of the Mission.

Brazil also participates with the presence of an Army officer who works as Assistant in the Planning Cell of the United Nations Headquarters, in Nicosia.

Brazil has always considered that the Cyprus issue should be treated in the framework established by the United Nations Security Council, whose basic parameters state the respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Cyprus, as well as the search for a peaceful, satisfactory and Cypriot-led solution for both communities.

Brazil is hopeful that Your Excellency's efforts to define the terms of reference for a future round of negotiations will have a favourable outcome. Therefore, Brazil will continue to welcome your determination in order to achieve a fruitful result”.

Receiving the credentials, the President said:

“It is with great pleasure that I receive today your Letters of Credence, appointing you as the new Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Republic of Cyprus.

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on 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 in the fulfilment of your mission.

Cyprus and Brazil enjoy long-standing and friendly bilateral relations. I avail myself of this opportunity to express my eagerness to work closely with you in order to explore new fields of cooperation, as well as deepening and enhancing existing ones, for the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples. Cyprus and Brazil share common interests on international issues and cooperate seamlessly in international fora, including our admirable record of reciprocal support to each other’s candidatures.

Cyprus deeply appreciates your country’s continued commitment and contribution to the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). On this occasion to pay tribute to the Brazilian servicemen and women, as well as other officials whom have served or continue to serve in UNFICYP, for their dedication and commitment to enhancing the cause of peace in our country.

As a Member State of the European Union, Cyprus will continue to avidly support the deepening of engagement and broadening of cooperation with Brazil and the enhancing of the transatlantic relationship, inter alia through the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.

The reunification of Cyprus and its people after 46 years of Turkish occupation is long overdue.  In the face of this perpetuated injustice, the aim of reaching a lasting solution which would safeguard the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, without any third country dependencies, military troops and guarantees, cannot wane.

The Republic of Cyprus highly values Brazil’s principled stance on the Cyprus Issue and your country’s consistent support to our efforts to reach a comprehensive and viable settlement.

Regrettably, Turkey’s illegal drilling operations within our Exclusive Economic Zone run contrary to the necessity of having a good and positive climate that will enable the resumption of the negotiating process under the auspices of the United Nations. These Turkish actions have been strongly condemned by the international community and the EU, since they infringe upon the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and do not comply with International Law, particularly so the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the principles of good neighbourly relations. Apart from escalating tensions in our turbulent region, the illegal and provocative actions by Turkey not only adversely affect our efforts to resume the peace process but they leave no room for bringing about the necessary conditions for all parties to engage in a results-oriented dialogue.  We do hope that Turkey will finally chose to adopt a more pragmatic and constructive approach and abide by International Law.

Moreover, we are gravely concerned by Turkey’s decision for the opening of the fenced city of Varosha, in yet another flagrant violation of UN decisions. The UN Secretary General has already expressed apprehension over this decision which is his own words might as well “heighten tensions and undermine chances for a resumption of peace talks”. On our side, we call upon Turkey to fully abide by pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions, which call for the return and resettlement of Varosha by its rightful and lawful inhabitants, and abandon any plans that are in clear violation of the 1979 High-Level Agreement between the Leaders of the two communities, as well as UN Security Council Resolutions 414 (1970), 442 (1980), 550 (1984) and 789 (1992).

To this end, on numerous occasions, I reiterated in the clearest terms to the UN Secretary General, our partners in the EU and the international community in general, that I remain strongly committed to resuming the negotiating process. But for the talks to resume with realistic prospects for success, it is imperative to create an environment which will be conducive for constructive and good faith negotiations. And certainly not under conditions of intimidation or threats by Turkey.

Dear Ambassador Eduardo Augusto Ibiapina de Seixas,

In welcoming you to Cyprus, I would kindly request you to convey a message of sincere friendship and solidarity to His Excellency the President of Brazil, Mr Jair Bolsonaro, as well as to the friendly people of your country”.

(EK/SCH)