Press Releases

Your Excellency,

It is with distinct pleasure and sincere feelings of friendship that I receive today your Letters of Credence appointing you as the new Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Cyprus. I want to assure you that my Government and the people of Cyprus will provide you with every assistance in the performance of your high duties aiming at building upon the excellent bilateral relations that have developed between our two countries.

Your Excellency,

It is evident to me that Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates enjoy excellent relations, at all levels, which are based on mutual respect and understanding. I am deeply committed to ensuring that our relations and cooperation, not only in the political but also in the economic field, will develop to their full potential for the benefit of our two countries.

Our relations have indeed come a long way during the last decade. The recently signed Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a testament to this. We are looking forward to its implementation and to holding the first Strategic Forum. The fact that we have also held two informal trilateral meetings between Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates and Greece is also a shining example of the importance we attach to our fast-evolving partnership and demonstrates our commitment to enhance our vibrant relations and our cooperation at a bilateral, trilateral and multilateral level. The frequent exchange of bilateral visits is also a testament of this close relationship and our discussions reflect our common approach on a number of regional and international issues.

Furthermore, we look forward to the development of our commercial, investment and business relations which will be an important additional driving force for our bilateral relations in the future. I am, as such, pleased to note the recent visit by Assistant Minister for Economic and Commercial Affairs, H.E. Mr. Saeed Al Hajeri to Cyprus, accompanied by a team of Emirati stakeholders for bilateral consultations on potential investments.

Cyprus, as a member of the European Union, will continue to actively engage in the discussions within the EU for the promotion of Emirati interests. Furthermore, and in the regional context, Cyprus is an avid proponent of the improvement and deepening of EU-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) cooperation.

Your Excellency,

Cyprus deeply appreciates the United Arab Emirates support for our efforts to end the Turkish occupation and reunite the island and its people. The status quo with regards to the Cyprus problem is not a viable option, neither for Cyprus and all Cypriots, nor for any actor with an interest in the security and stability in our region.

On my part, I want to reaffirm my commitment to the effort for a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem on the agreed basis of bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as prescribed by relevant UN resolutions and to the convergences reached until the closure of the Conference in Cyprus in Crans Montana.

In this respect, my utmost priority is to exert every possible effort to break the current deadlock, resume a structured and results-oriented dialogue, and create the conditions for a solution that will lead to the reunification of our country, the reunification of our institutions and of our economy. The solution of the Cyprus issue must include the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a functional federal state, where all citizens live in conditions of security and understanding, without occupying troops and obsolete external dependencies. The solution must be in line with relevant UNSC resolutions and the EU acquis.

Excellency,

In welcoming you to Cyprus, I would request you to convey to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, as well as to the Government and to the friendly people of the United Arab Emirates 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 both constructive and fruitful, and carried out in such a way that the sound relationship that Cyprus enjoys with the United Arab Emirates will further flourish.

Ambassador Al Shehhi, I warmly welcome you to Cyprus.

For the address of the Ambassador, press here.

(NG/SCH)