Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received the credentials of the new High Commissioner of Australia, Ms Fiona Vashti Catherine McKergow, during a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 31 March 2022.

Presenting her credentials, Ms McKergow, speaking in English, said:

“Your Excellency

It is a great honour and privilege for me to present my credentials to you as Australian High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus. It is a privilege to convey to you the best wishes of the Government of Australia, on behalf of the Australian people and its diverse communities with links to Cyprus.

As I present my credentials to you today, I am conscious of the bonds of history between our nations and peoples, and of the significant 50th anniversary that will mark our strong and enduring diplomatic relationship in 2023.

Our bilateral relationship is underpinned by the second-largest overseas Cypriot community abroad. That is, those who have made Australia home and, who also still proudly identify with the culture and heritage of their respective birthplaces. Cypriot communities in Australia have a history of strong social and cultural contribution to the modern multicultural Australia that exists today.

Many Cypriots who ventured to Australia’s great south shores went on to become strong advocates for their communities, political leaders, and successful businessmen and businesswomen. Many are excelling in academia, sport, the arts, and entertainment. The same is true in reverse; with Cypriot-Australians, who have returned to their ancestral homeland, also making worthy contributions to government, business, and society.

Since arriving in Cyprus, I have had the pleasure of meeting many talented, articulate and intelligent advocates and next-generation leaders who are focused on a peaceful and inclusive future for Cyprus. They all share the same Commonwealth ideals of human rights, equality and promoting good governance – values that are the foundation of our two nations.

As I look to the 50th anniversary of our formal diplomatic relations in 2023 and reflect upon Australia’s history of support for a modern independent Cyprus, I also look to how I can continue the work of former Australian Government representatives in providing support to giving a voice to the diverse communities that make up our great nations.

I have arrived at a time of increasing challenges to peace and security in the nearby region, where we see the undermining of basic human rights such as the increased restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of movement, democratic engagement, and gender equality.

It is a salient reminder of the need to actively support efforts that embrace democratic engagement by all communities. As supporters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it behoves us to strengthen our shared national foundations of freedom, equality, the rule of law and mutual respect.

At a time when our countries are experiencing the uncertainty of a conflict that threatens the broader peace, security and economic prosperity of nations; along with challenges to supply chains, and economic coercion by key trading partners, the prosperity of Cypriots and Australians remain linked to our collective cooperation in multilateral fora, the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and our support for the global rules-based order.

I am encouraged by the potential I see of Australians and Cypriots working together to build stronger partnerships at the institutional level that is contributing to Cyprus becoming a centre of excellence on many fronts. I am impressed by the breadth of the ongoing institutional engagement of our universities and research organisations – not only supporting the well-known historical efforts to understand and record Cyprus’ rich archaeological heritage, but the more current efforts focused on renewable energy potential, road safety, fire risk management, and marine pollution.

Please allow me to once again assure you that Australia remains committed to supporting peace building efforts and fostering engagement by the diverse communities across Cyprus to bring about an enduring solution that underpins a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. 

I take pride in Australia’s long history of support for peace-making and building inter-community understanding in Cyprus, whether through current forums such as the Cyprus Academic Dialogue, or through the contribution of 1600 Australian peacekeepers to UNFYCP. As we look towards 2024 with the marking of the 60th anniversary of Australia’s first peacekeeping deployment to Cyprus, I am focused on ensuring that the sacrifice of Australian life in support of Cyprus’ nationhood has not been made in vain and is remembered in an enduring and sensitive way, one that continues to educate future generations of the ongoing need to support effort for peace on this beautiful island, and around the globe. 

It is a rare honour and a great privilege to be able to serve my country abroad.  It is an even greater privilege to be able to do so as the Australian High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus, a country with whom Australia shares the deepest and warmest of friendships. I look ahead to my time on the island with great confidence that together, as friends, we will strengthen further the already deep bonds between our countries and peoples”.

Receiving the credentials, the President said:

“It is with distinct pleasure and sincere feelings of friendship that I receive today your Letters of Credence, appointing you as the new High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Republic of Cyprus. I would like to assure you that my Government, and I personally, will provide you with every possible assistance in the performance of your high duties. In this respect, I look forward to working closely with you on further developing the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Australia.

Despite the geographical distance, our two countries share a long history which is based on shared principles and values, on mutual respect and understanding. Cyprus and Australia have been strong advocates of international law, peace and world stability.

Year 2023 will constitute a milestone in our relations, as it will mark the 50^th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Commonwealth of Australia.

Today, our countries enjoy an excellent level of relations in all fields and our cooperation has expanded significantly in the political, social and economic spheres. These ties are further strengthened by the people-to-people contacts and the presence of the large Cypriot diaspora living in Australia, contributing to your country’s prosperity, as well as serving as a bridge between Cyprus and Australia. 

On the international stage, Cyprus and Australia abide by the principle of effective multilateralism. Our cooperation in international organizations and fora has been significant, especially in the framework of the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

As regards the European Union, it is evident that Australia is considered a very close and important partner. From our side, rest assured that Cyprus will continue to support the further enhancement of the EU-Australia relations in the coming years for the mutual benefit of both sides. Furthermore, we will work constructively with all partners in order to achieve a balanced and mutually beneficial EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement. 

During these worrisome times with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we stand by Ukraine, conveying our strong support and respect to its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. What is of utmost importance at this point is to secure, through diplomacy and dialogue, the immediate ceasefire to stop the tragic loss of innocent lives.

Cyprus and its people have their own tragic experiences of foreign invasion, following the illegal Turkish military invasion and occupation since 1974, and until today our country still suffers from its devastating effects. 

Having said that, I would like to express my deep appreciation for Australia’s principled stance on the Cyprus issue and your country’s consistent support on our efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement, based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, with political equality as defined in UN resolutions.     

Australia’s support is greatly valued and appreciated by Cyprus, and one that we continue to count on, especially in light of Turkey’s declared position for a “two-state” solution and its overall aggressive behaviour towards our country, in blatant disregard of international law.

Seizing this opportunity, Ι also wish to express my sincere appreciation for Australia’s 53-year contribution to UNFICYP form 1964 until 2017, with over 1,600 police personnel.

As you know very well, Turkey continues unabated with its illegal plans in the fenced area of Varosha, in full defiance of the relevant Security Council resolutions, despite the strong condemnation by the international community and its repeated calls for the immediate reversal of this course of action.

In spite of Turkey’s continued provocations, our side remains focused in creating conducive conditions for the resumption of the negotiating process the soonest possible. To this end, I have put forward a proposal consisting of win-win and far-reaching Confidence Building Measures to end the ongoing impasse and pave the way for peace talks to resume. Within this context, I am confident that this set of CBMs can build trust and greater cooperation between the two communities and serve as a catalyst for the effort to reach a lasting solution of the Cyprus problem.

What I want to assure you, High Commissioner, is of my strong commitment and determination to engage once again in results-oriented negotiations for a settlement on the Cyprus issue that will address the legitimate concerns and safeguard the rights of both sides.

In concluding, I would kindly request that you convey to His Excellency Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as well as to the friendly people of Australia, our warmest greetings and a message of friendship and solidarity.

High Commissioner McKergow, I warmly welcome you to Cyprus and I wish you a constructive and fruitful tenure”.

(EK/SCH)