Press Releases

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Federative Republic of Brazil, Dr Vasilios Philippou, presented his credentials to the President of the Republic, Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in an official ceremony held on 17 November 2023 at the Presidential Palace (Palácio Planalto) in Brasilia.

In the meeting that followed with President Lula, Ambassador Philippou conveyed the cordial greetings of the President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides. He also expressed the commitment of the Government to further enhance the excellent relations between the two countries on a bilateral level, but also within the European Union and at the level of international organisations.

Ambassador Philippou expressed the gratitude of the Republic of Cyprus for Brazil's long-standing and valuable contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, while he emphasized the challenges Cyprus faces due to the continued illegal occupation of part of its territory by Turkey. In this context, he briefed President Lula regarding the initiative of President Christodoulides for the resumption of negotiations for a lasting solution of the Cyprus Question.

The President of the Federative Republic of Brazil reciprocated the warm greetings of President Christodoulides and wished for the peaceful reunification of Cyprus the soonest possible. President Lula also referred to the ever-closer bilateral ties between the two countries, noting particularly the progress achieved in bilateral trade. In this context, President Lula conveyed his Government’s interest to further enhance bilateral relations and cooperation, particularly in the fields of investments, green transition, tourism, maritime and shipping.

(MF/GS/NZ)