Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today, Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, Mr Alvaro Castillo-Aguilar.

Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Castillo-Aguilar said.

Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic said:

“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 Spain to the Republic of Cyprus.

Let me assure you that my Government and the people of Cyprus will provide you with every assistance in the performance of your high duties. I personally look forward to working with you in building upon the excellent and friendly bilateral relations that exist between our two countries.

Cyprus and Spain share a long history, dating back to centuries, and over the years have established a concrete and close cooperation in various fields, reflected at the political and economic levels, as well as people to people contacts. This year, 2018, is an important milestone in our relations as it marks the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries.

Our bilateral cooperation is dynamic and our coordination on several fronts is constantly growing. Let me assure you of our willingness to keep up this momentum of cooperation and expand it even further, in all areas, of mutual interest. We stand ready to explore much needed opportunities for private business cooperation between the Cypriot and Spanish entrepreneurs. In this regard, I wish to stress my Government’s willingness to work towards the further enhancement of these enviable ties and close cooperation in various fields, including investment promotion, strengthening bilateral trade, tourism, education, health, research and development.

Furthermore, as Mediterranean states and close partners in the European Union, Cyprus and Spain have developed an excellent level of communication and cooperation in an effort to achieve common goals, derived by the European agenda. I am certain that our countries can work even closer together in addressing jointly and effectively the challenges faced by our European family today.

Excellency,

The Cyprus Economy is on a stable growth path to recovery. In fact, 2018 is the 4th consecutive year of positive real GDP growth, higher than the Euro area average, estimated at 3.8% for the whole year. The inflationrate is estimated at 0.5% for 2018 and the unemployment rate dropped at 8.4% in May 2018, recording the biggest annual unemployment decrease in the EU. The main policy objective of the Government is the full recovery of the economy and the creation of the necessary conditions for sustainable growth.

Your Excellency,

With a renewed mandate by the people, my top priority remains none other than addressing the unacceptable current state of affairs with the continuing Turkish occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, since there is no doubt that lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus Problem.

To this end, on numerous occasions, I reiterated in the clearest terms to the UN Secretary-General, our partners in the EU, the Permanent and non-Permanent Members of the Security Council and the international community, that I remain strongly committed to resuming the negotiating process.

What is of course required is to create those necessary conditions that will allow the dialogue to resume on the basis of good will and constructive stance from all stakeholders, particularly by the Turkish side, in order to safeguard the positive outcome of the negotiations.

The above-mentioned were reiterated during my recent fruitful meeting with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, during which I also stressed that I remain sincerely committed to negotiate a solution within the UN Security Council resolutions and the framework set by the UN Secretary-General, as clarified on July 04, 2017, with the same determination and positive attitude we have demonstrated since the beginning of the dialogue.

Within this context, I do hope that the meetings of the Special Envoy of the United Nations which will soon take place with all other interested parties and stakeholders involved will allow the UN Secretary-General to be in a position to resume the process

Taking this opportunity, I wish to remind that the failure of the Conference on Cyprus in July 2017 was precisely due to Turkey’s insistence on its long-standing position in maintaining the continuation of the anachronistic system of guarantees, the unilateral right of intervention and a permanent presence of Turkish troops. I also wish to remind that our side submitted comprehensive written proposals for each and every one of Mr Guterres six-point framework, including on a new security architecture that would replace anachronisms and the strategic aspirations of third countries against Cyprus.

Having said the above, at the same time we should also not ignore the remaining significant differences on the other Chapters of the Cyprus Problem.  Differences that can be easily resolved by adopting and respecting what is considered as our obligation: The European acquis.

It is only through adhering to these fundamental principles which determine that a member-state of the United Nations and the European Union can only be considered as truly independent and sovereign if it is free of any third country dependencies, that we can truly establish the conditions for prosperity and peaceful co-existence between all the citizens of Cyprus, in an environment of safety and stability.

I truly wish that both our Turkish Cypriots compatriots and Turkey will respond positively to the new prospect that is unfolding again upon us, taking into account, in a comprehensive manner and without being selective, the provisions set by the Secretary-General at the Conference in Crans Montana. On my own behalf, I wish to reassure, once again, of my determination to work tirelessly to reach a comprehensive settlement that will finally reunify our island after 44 years of division, ensuring conditions of safety for the future generations of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, without any third country military troops or guarantees.

A settlement that will satisfy the genuine desire of our people, especially of the younger generations, to live together and peacefully co-exist, collaborate and prosper in a European country which fully respects their fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Mr Ambassador,

In concluding, I would kindly request that you convey to His Excellency Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as well as to the people of Spain our warmest greetings and a message of friendship and solidarity. Ambassador Aguilar, I warmly welcome you to Cyprus and wish you a constructive and fruitful tenure.”

(AH/SCH)