Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received the credentials of the new Ambassador of Luxembourg, Ms Elisabeth Cardoso Jordao, during a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 31 March 2022.

Receiving the credentials of Ms Jordao, the President said:

“It is with distinct pleasure that I receive today your Letters of Credence, appointing you as the new Ambassador of Luxembourg to the Republic of Cyprus. Please accept my sincere congratulations for your appointment and my best wishes for every success in your important work. I would also like to assure you that my Government, and I personally, will provide you with every possible assistance in the performance of your high duties.

Cyprus and Luxembourg enjoy close cooperation and share common EU values and principles. I am confident that during your tenure, we will work constructively together so as to deepen this cooperation even further and extend it into new areas.

At this critical juncture for the European Union, where it is essential to preserve our unity and our solidarity, Cyprus and Luxembourg can work even closer together with the aim of addressing jointly and effectively the challenges faced by our common European family.

In times of crisis like these, where geopolitical uncertainty, war, uprooting, and human migration are just of the few problems facing Europe today, it is important to recall our own experiences, and draw inspiration from the success story of the reunification of Europe and the founding of the EU. It is essential to preserve our democracies, our European values, our unity and our solidarity so that Europe can emerge stronger, unified and able to offer stability and prosperity to all of its people.

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 Luxembourg’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.     

Luxembourg’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.

As you know very well, Excellency, 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, Ambassador, 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 closing, I wish to assure you once again of my Government’s full support in the discharge of your important duties. I would also kindly request that you convey to His Excellency Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and the friendly people of Luxembourg, my warmest greetings and a message of friendship and solidarity.

Ambassador Elisabeth Cardoso Jordao, I warmly welcome you to Cyprus”.

(EK/SCH)