Press Releases

Your Excellency, Ambassador Liu Yantao,

Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is with distinct pleasure, gratitude and sincere feelings of friendship that I am here today, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Cyprus H.E. Mr Nicos Anastasiades, joining the celebrations for the excellent level of bilateral relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the People’s Republic of China.

I wish to thank the Ambassador of China to Cyprus Mr. Liu Yantao, for his kind invitation and for the opportunity to reaffirm the close bonds of friendship, mutual understanding and solidarity between our two countries and peoples.

According to Aristotle, friendship is only possible between “good people, similar in virtue” and is important as it generates concord and a basis for amicable relations between peoples.

Excellencies,

Cyprus and China enjoy a long-established friendship, based on solid foundations, ever since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1971. Over the years, mutual respect and understanding kept deepening, while cooperation on political, cultural, economic, educational and social issues has steadily developed.

This year, the Chinese Year of the Tiger, marked the elevation of the relationship between Cyprus and China to an upward path of our bilateral relations, which paves the way for enhanced collaboration across a wide spectrum of fields of mutual interest.

I am also particularly pleased to note the significant growth in our trade relations and the enhanced collaboration between our respective ministries, parliaments and local authorities, including town twinning agreements between Cyprus and China.

As far as the parliamentary relations are concerned, we remain committed to supporting cooperation with China in areas of shared interest, as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding, signed between the House of Representatives and the National People’s Congress in December 2018.

Cyprus and China adhere to values and principles of the United Nations and International Law, both aspiring to safeguarding world peace, democracy, security and prosperity. In this respect, I would like to stress that in today’s world struck by intersecting crises, such as conflicts, pandemics, climate change, energy crisis, poverty and world economic recession, unity and solidarity are more necessary than ever and the only way forward.

Distinguished guests,

I wish to express our deep gratitude for the principled stance and unwavering support of the People’s Republic of China, as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, in our efforts to reach a viable, functional and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, in accordance with the relevant Security Council Resolutions and International Law.

The “One China-One Cyprus” principle is a shared conviction, as both countries are committed to the respect of States’ sovereignty and territorial integrity and the non-interference in the internal affairs of other States.

Last but not least, I wish to reaffirm that Cyprus remains a strong supporter of the advancement of EU-China relations. In our capacity as a European Union member state, but also as per our important geographic location at the crossroads of the European, African and Asian continents, we will continue to be supportive in every possible way to the further enhancement of these relations in the years to come, in our common efforts to achieve international peace and stability.

Your Excellency Ambassador Liu Yantao,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to also note the initiatives undertaken by the Embassy of China to bring young people from both counties together, in the context of the China-Cyprus Youth Forum. Even more so, that youth, along with gender related issues, are among my top priorities, as a young politician and the first female President of the Cyprus House of Representatives.

Last, but not least, the initiative that the Embassy of China, Phileleftheros and Cyprus Mail newspapers have undertaken to collect short stories and messages yet telling a lot about Cyprus-China genuine friendship is by all means commendable. I was more than happy to contribute with my own message to the “Collection of China-Cyprus Friendship Stories” and I wish to congratulate the winners of today’s awarding ceremony and all those who have participated.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

Once again, I express my pleasure for joining you here today, in this wonderful event to witness yet another example of the precious collaboration and friendly relations between Cyprus and China. I am confident, that the friendly relations between our two countries will continue to grow not only in the existing areas but also towards new fields of cooperation.

On behalf of the President, H.E. Mr. Nicos Anastasiades and the people of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as on my own behalf, I wish to convey a message of friendship and solidarity, along with my most heartfelt wishes for prosperity and good health to H.E. President Xi Jinping, under whose leadership the close ties between Cyprus and China have been strengthened, and to the friendly people of China.

Thank you.

(The text as sent by the House of Representatives)