Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today, at a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Stephen Lillie.

Presenting his credentials, High Commissioner Lillie, said:

“Your Excellency,

It is a great honour and privilege for me to have been appointed as the new British High Commissioner in Cyprus.  

In assuming my new duties, I am very well aware of the long and special history that our two countries have together. This is a relationship of many different dimensions, not without its complexities, but also with a great deal to celebrate. Perhaps the most important historical legacy is the network of personal connections between the two countries, with our large British community of over 70,000 residents here in Cyprus, and some 300,000 Cypriots or Britons of Cypriot origin living in the UK. In this context, I was delighted to note that in our recent local council elections in England and Wales, at least 16 Britons of both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot origin were elected.

As well as personal connections, we enjoy a wealth of cultural, economic and institutional ties. All of this provides a firm foundation for further expanding our relations across a whole range of areas: trade, finance and investment; tourism; education and science; law enforcement; public sector and economic reform; foreign and defence policy. In other words, while we must always respect, learn from and build on our history, my focus as High Commissioner will be very much on what we can achieve together in future.

Mr President, I am arriving in Cyprus at a significant time for our relations. Here in Cyprus you have begun your second term as President. In your first term you oversaw the strengthening of ties between our two countries and their development into a stronger, more collaborative relationship between partners. We have similarly high hopes for your second term.

In the United Kingdom, we are preparing to leave the European Union, in accordance with the wishes of the British people expressed in the 2016 referendum. I am determined that as we leave the EU, the British High Commission will work to build an even wider and deeper relationship between Britain and Cyprus: a relationship founded on shared values as liberal free-trading democracies and the rule of law, shared membership of the Commonwealth, shared institutional links and the common law system, and of course the wealth of personal connections between our citizens to which I have referred already.

As we do so, the British Government and I personally as High Commissioner will continue to support a just, democratic and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue. Reunified, Cyprus can achieve even greater things as a country, and so can our bilateral relationship. So we will support the settlement process, which is our duty as a guarantor power and permanent member of the Security Council, but which is even more so our wish as a friend of the Cypriot people”.

Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic said:

“Your Excellency,

It is with distinct pleasure that I receive today your Letters of Credence appointing you as the new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the Letters of Recall of your predecessor. Please accept my sincere congratulations for your appointment and I wish to assure you that my Government and I personally, will provide you with every assistance in the performance of your high duties, aiming at building upon the excellent bilateral relations that already exist between our two countries.

Your Excellency,

Our relations date back to the twelfth century, when Richard the Lionheart came to Cyprus, and is a relationship of undeniable resilience, since it is a relationship of mutual and decisive potential. Cyprus and the United Kingdom have enjoyed a strong and enduring relationship throughout our long and shared history, which is based on common values, principles and interests. Over the decades, our two countries have closely and effectively cooperated and collaborated on a wide range of issues at the bilateral, European and international levels, including as partners in the EU and the Commonwealth. At the same time, the UK and especially London is home to a large Cypriot community that plays an important role in the economic and political life of British society, while a large number of Cypriot students pursue their education in British universities.

During the last five years, our relationship has indeed entered a new phase, with concrete and effective cooperation of pragmatic value, in various crucial fields of shared interest, including tackling regional challenges and addressing security threats and the rise of terrorism.

Furthermore, the recent signing of the Convention for the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and on capital gains and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom will provide further impetus to the expansion of the economic, commercial, financial and investment ties between our countri

As we are now entering an important period in the modern history of the United Kingdom, during which its future relationship with the EU will take shape, allow me to express my sincere commitment to continue working closely with your Government towards ensuring that our two countries forge a further dynamic and constantly growing bilateral relation. It is with deep regret that we will lose such a close and valued partner within the European Union, but we fully respect the will of the British people.

With regards to the ongoing discussions between Cyprus and the UK on the British bases, within the context of the wider Brexit negotiations, we look forward to concluding them in time. We would highly appreciate your support in order to maintain the bases in the EU customs territory and ensure that the rights and interests of EU citizens residing and/or working in the bases are safeguarded.

Your Excellency,

The current economic situation of Cyprus is one of renewed opportunity, optimism and good prospects.

Cyprus has achieved a remarkable rebound. Over the last four years, it has been steadily edging out of recession and it now enjoys a remarkable growth rate of over 3% of GDP. Confidence has been restored, public finances are sound, the banking sector is stable and we have seen significant investment, both through private and government initiatives.

The primary objective of our economic policy is to see a continuation of our economic recovery and sustainable growth. The combination of fiscal discipline with real economic growth has been the hallmark of our economic policy. And, of course, we shall continue to promote further economic reforms and consolidation of all that has been achieved so far.

We have established a vibrant pro-business environment and we are confident that, by pursuing the same prudent and forward–looking economic path, Cyprus can become one of the fastest growing economies in the EU.

Your Excellency,

As I stated following my re-election as President of the Republic of Cyprus, the greatest challenge we face is the division of Cyprus caused by the illegal Turkish occupation of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

As regards the current state of play, following the failure of the Conference on Cyprus in Crans Montana in July 2017, due to Turkey’s insistence, in stark contrast to the framework presented by the UN Secretary - General during the said Conference, on its longstanding position to retain the right to unilaterally intervene in Cyprus through the continuation of the anachronistic system of guarantees and the permanent presence of Turkish troops, the negotiating process is at an impasse.

Regrettably, Turkey’s most recent illegal actions in our maritime zones amount to escalated provocations and to flagrant violation of our sovereign rights to explore and exploit our natural resources and do not create the necessary conditions for resuming negotiations.

What I would like to stress and what I have made clear to the UN Secretary General and the international community, is that if Turkey’s illegal actions cease as well as the unacceptable positions and demands put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side, I am ready to immediately engage in a new dialogue as regards the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem and also to take part in a new Conference on Cyprus, provided that the necessary preparation has taken place and that the five permanent members of the Security Council and the EU will assume an active role.

To this end, we warmly welcome the intention by the Secretary - General to appoint an envoy in order to explore the prospect of resuming the negotiating process.

Therefore, both Turkey and Mr Akinci are called to clarify with clarity their positions on whether or not they accept the framework presented by the UN Secretary - General in July 2017, in order not only to avoid misinterpretations or statements that aim to impress, but also for the UN Secretary - General to have a clear picture if the necessary conditions that will allow the resumption of the dialogue are in place.

To this end, I would like to underline, yet again, as recently conveyed to the Prime Minister, Mrs Theresa May, in the clearest terms that we remain strongly committed to negotiate a solution within the parameters that the Secretary General set, for a viable and comprehensive settlement, fully in line with international and EU law, that reunites Cyprus as modern, truly independent and sovereign state, free of any third country dependencies that will offer the prospect of prosperity and peaceful co-existence for all its citizens.

In concluding, the strong support of the Government of the United Kingdom to our continuous efforts to reach a just, viable and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, in line with the relevant UN Council Resolutions, the EU law, values and principles, and the High Level Agreements between the leaders of the two communities and the Joint Declaration of February 11, 2014 and your contribution towards that aim would be highly appreciated.

Excellency,

In welcoming you to Cyprus, I would request you to convey to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as well as to Her Majesty’s Government and to the friendly people of the United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom will further flourish.

High Commissioner Stephen Lillie I warmly welcome you to Cyprus”.

(MG)