Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Netherlands, Ms Εlke Μerks-Schaapveld, during a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 5 November 2020.

Presenting her credentials, Ms Μerks-Schaapveld, speaking in English, said:

“Your Excellency, Mr President,

It is a great honour for me to present your excellency with letters from His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands accrediting me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Cyprus. It is my pleasure to convey His Majesty’s best wishes to your country and people.

I would like to acknowledge the work done by my predecessor, Mrs Nathalie Jaarsma and thank you and the government of your country for the close cooperation and kind assistance extended to her. I hope that I may benefit from the same trust and understanding in the coming years, and I pledge to do my utmost best to contribute to the enhancement of the relations between our two countries to merit that trust.

The developments in the Eastern Mediterranean are of great concern to us all. The Kingdom of the Netherlands has expressed its solidarity with Cyprus and Greece and fully supports the conclusions of the European Council. The de-escalation of the present situation is of utmost importance. The Netherlands calls on resolving the maritime demarcation in accordance with international law.

The COVID-19 crisis has affected societies and economies around the globe and will permanently reshape our world as it continues to unfold. I compliment the successful actions you and your government take in consultation with the scientific world, including the high number of testing. COVID-19 has a major impact on our economies. Important sectors such as shipping, energy, tourism and the financial sector have been severely challenged. I hope that Cyprus will soon be able to pick up the sustained economic growth you have made possible pre-corona.

You will find the Kingdom of the Netherlands by your side. We are major trading partners, including in essential sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals and technology. Our economic and commercial ties offer even new opportunities for partnership in innovation and sustainable economic growth. The Dutch economy is very innovative and entrepreneurial, and I hope we can further develop our knowledge exchange during my stay in Cyprus. In that context, enhanced cooperation between the different stakeholders of our countries on climate adaptation and energy, including solar could be envisaged. With its strategic location, connecting Europe with the Middle East and Asia, Cyprus could be an example of cooperation in the region.

With regards to the bilateral relations between our countries, I am glad that they have become even closer in the last years. Cyprus’s appeal as a top European holiday destination keeps resonating to the Dutch tourists. In addition, universities and schools in the Netherlands are increasingly popular among young Cypriots. My embassy will continue to organize events and attend fairs around the island to inform Cypriots of the options and opportunities our educational system offers. We will also continue to look for ways to enhance the academic cooperation between our countries. At the same time, the strong relations between our countries allow us to strengthen our cooperation on challenges such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals in order to achieve them both in the Netherlands, as well as in Cyprus.

We are also partners in the European Union. We share a long lasting-maritime and trading tradition. Our common European heritage forms the base of our continuous pursuit for shared positions based on the understanding of our interests and views.

Our countries have both active and vibrant civil societies. In order to promote mutual respect and understanding, I will do my utmost best to enhance the relations between our two countries and work for closer contacts on various levels of our respective societies. As members of the Equal Rights Coalition, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Cyprus cooperate in the promotion of Equal Rights. In addition, with a view to enhancing people-to-people dialogue, the Netherlands Embassy in Cyprus contributes to the dialogue between the different communities on the island through its Orange Tulip Fund.

In the field of peace and security, the Netherlands and Cyprus work closely together. We remain both active supporters of Frontex, the European external borders agency. Our countries have also agreed to a Bilateral Annual Defense Program. We look forward to further implementing this framework.

We will continue to welcome every effort in support of a lasting solution for the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the European Union is founded. We stand ready to help where we can. I sincerely welcome the opportunity to work and live in your beautiful and fascinating country. In my first months here, I have had the pleasure of experiencing not just your sunny beaches and the fresh breeze on Mount Olympus, but also your people’s renowned hospitality. I hope to master the Greek language soon and learn more about the history and culture of Cyprus, and connect with its people.

It’s a pleasure to be here in your country, and I greatly look forward to working with you”.

Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic said:

“It is with distinct pleasure that I receive today your Letters of Credence, appointing you as the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Cyprus. Please accept my sincere congratulations for your appointment, along with my best wishes for every success in your important duties.

Today’s ceremony provides the opportunity to reaffirm the excellent level of cooperation and bilateral relations between Cyprus and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Values as freedom, tolerance, diversity, democracy and respect for the rule of law, are the cornerstone of our strong and concrete partnership.

Our two countries, both as partners within the European Union and on a bilateral basis, have managed to establish a comprehensive and close cooperation in various policy areas, which is reflected at the political level, the extended economic interaction, as well as through tourism and people-to-people contacts.

At the same time, we recognize that there is ample opportunity to further enhance our cooperation in various fields of common interest such as education, tourism, infrastructure, agriculture and trade. This will be even more important in the post-Brexit era. I am also pleased to observe the recent progress in our bilateral agenda, in particular the recent conclusion of the negotiations on the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation, the cooperation of the Foreign Ministry with Clingendael for capacity building in Economic Diplomacy, as well as the positive developments for a collaboration on gender equality issues.

The Cyprus economy, as all economies around the globe, is currently facing significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Government responded swiftly, focusing primarily on the control of infection rates and the strengthening of our health care system. In this regard, we have adopted specific policies and measures in order to support employment and businesses, aiming to gradually return to recovery paths.

In fact, Cyprus adopted one of the most comprehensive fiscal support packages in the EU, without risking the long term sustainability of public finances. The Government was able to do so, because over the past few years we had accumulated the necessary fiscal buffers that could be used in emergency cases such as the current public health crisis.

As regards the outlook of the economy, we expect a contraction of real GDP of about 5.5% during 2020, with services and tourism being most affected. Despite this, the forecasts for 2021 suggest a significant rebound of the economy of about +4.5%. The Government's broader strategy for economic recovery includes the sustainable management of public finances, the promotion of key structural reforms and the reduction of Non-Performing Loans (NPLs).

I would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for the Netherlands’ principled position as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem and your country’s unwavering support on our efforts to reach a lasting and viable settlement. A settlement that will first and foremost address the aspiration of the people of Cyprus for a free, sovereign, integral and independent State able to ensure peace and prosperity for its people and to contribute to cooperation and stability in the wider region.

As regards the prospects for a solution to the Cyprus problem, we have repeatedly expressed our readiness to resume negotiations from where they were left off in Crans Montana. However, Turkey’s illegal actions within our maritime zones 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 with 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 to open the fenced area of Varosha, in contravention of the UN Security Council resolutions, in particular 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), despite the efforts of the international community, calling upon Turkey to reverse this course of action and abide by the relevant UN resolutions which call for the return and resettlement of Varosha by its rightful and lawful inhabitants.

To this end, we certainly rely on the support of the Netherlands and our EU partners to impress upon Turkey the necessity to cease its illegal actions and intimidation in order to create the necessary conditions for a peace process to be conducted in good faith and to have realistic prospects for success.

In welcoming you to Cyprus, I wish you every success in the performance of your high duties. I would be grateful if you could convey to His Majesty King William Alexander and to the people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands my warmest greetings and a message of sincere friendship and solidarity.

I conclude by assuring you once more of the support of my Government to your valuable mission, so that your tenure will be highly constructive and fruitful, and carried out in such a way that the sound relationship that Cyprus enjoys with the Netherlands will further flourish”.

(EK/SCH)