Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today, Monday, November 18, 2019, at a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the new Ambassador of the United States of America, Mrs Judith Gail Garber.

Presenting her credentials, Ambassador Garber said:

“Mr President,

It is a great honor and privilege to serve as the Ambassador of the United States of America to Cyprus. As President Trump’s personal representative, I am grateful for the opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between our countries. My work here will be dedicated to broadening and deepening this relationship, increasing the people-to-people ties between Americans and Cypriots, and advancing the peace, prosperity and stability of the region.

This is an exciting time in U.S.-Cypriot relations. The interests of Cyprus and the United States in the Eastern Mediterranean - at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Africa - have become increasingly aligned, and the Republic of Cyprus is a valued friend and important strategic partner in this critical region. By working together, we can continue to make progress on issues of mutual concern: fighting terrorism, preventing proliferation, protecting human rights, combating human trafficking, strengthening law enforcement, and improving maritime security. With the signature of the Statement of Intent by Assistant Secretary of State Mitchell and Foreign Minister Christodoulides last year, our bilateral security partnership will surely grow deeper and stronger.

On the economic front, we can improve our trade and investment ties as Cyprus diversifies its economy and strengthens its banking regulations. The new energy discoveries come with great promise and equally great responsibility. The United States has consistently recognized - in public and in private - the right of the Republic of Cyprus to develop the resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone. We continue to believe these resources should be equitably shared between both communities in the context of an overall settlement. These finds can and should lead to the greater prosperity and stability of the entire Eastern Mediterranean region and help diversify Europe’s energy supply.

The United States continues to support efforts by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, facilitated by the United Nations, to forge a just and lasting settlement that will reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. I would like to assure you, Mr President, that the United States of America supports the resumption of direct negotiations as soon as possible.

As I assume the role of Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, I am eager to begin working with you and your administration to deepen the partnership between our two countries.

Thank you, Mr President”.

Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic said:

“Your Excellency,

It is with great pleasure that I receive today your Letters of Credence appointing you as the new Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Cyprus. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations for your appointment. I would like to wish you every success in the performance of your high duties and to assure you that my Government will provide you with every assistance you may need in the fulfillment of your mission.

Based on our shared values and principles of justice and peace, Cyprus and the United States of America have over the years developed and established very cordial and warm relations, particularly when dealing with issues of global concern, both bilaterally and multilaterally. Our relations have notably progressed via our joint commitment, among others, in the fight against terrorism, illegal drugs, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and development of nuclear weapons.

The warmth and mutual trust in our bilateral relations was evidenced through the upgrading of Cyprus as a strategic partner for the US and by important bilateral contacts, including the meeting between myself and Secretary Pompeo this week in Israel.

The involvement of American companies, namely ExxonMobil and Noble, in the exploitation of Cyprus hydrocarbon reserves marks a new era for our bilateral relations, one that will serve towards tightening the economic and commercial links between our two countries, as well as towards expanding our investment ties and our cooperation in the fields of energy and energy security. ENI’s discovery of potentially the world’s largest natural gas field off the Egyptian coast and ExxonMobil’s recent announcement of discovery of a natural gas reservoir in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone will be a game changer for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, enhancing its strategic significance.

This does not only mark a new era for our bilateral relations, but it is also a tangible sign of trust to the reliable, predictable and stabilizing role we have assumed in our volatile region and to our efforts to substantially contribute to enhancing energy security for our country, our neighborhood and the European Union.

I strongly believe that the above also serves our joint vision of transforming the Eastern Mediterranean into an energy hub that would contribute to the region’s stability, through the diversification of energy sources and routes.

I avail myself of this opportunity to express my eagerness to work closely with you, in order to explore new fields of beneficial partnership, as well as deepening and enhancing existing ones, for the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples.

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 in general, 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.

Taking this opportunity, I wish to remind that the failure of the Conference on Cyprus in July 2017 was 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 the 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.

As regards the current stay of play, the Special Envoy appointed by the UN Secretary General, Ms Jane Lutte, has held three separate meetings with all parties involved with the aim of agreeing on the “Terms of Reference” as to the methodology of a new negotiating process.

My most important political aim has always been, and will continue to be, to reach a viable, functional and comprehensive settlement, one that will safeguard an independent and committed to European democratic values foreign policy. The present status quo is not a sustainable option.

It is for this reason that responding to the encouragement from the Secretary General for any new input that could prove useful in bringing the sides closer, I proposed that we discuss the decentralization of the exercise of powers, beyond those safeguarding the union and cohesion of the Federal State and functionality of the government, with the aim of a more effective decision-making process, in line with the non-encroachment and subsidiarity principles.

This would allow us to present a more viable and functional settlement, since on the one hand it would help minimize the disruption in the daily lives of the citizens of both communities and on the other hand it would lead to solving the contested issue of effective participation and the insistence for a Turkish Cypriot positive vote in any federal institution/body /organ.

I truly wish that both our Turkish Cypriot 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. At the same time, it would be fundamental to reaching a settlement if those sides do not insist on provisions which on the one hand would adversely affect the sovereignty and independence of a united Cyprus and on the other hand would establish a dysfunctional federal state.

As we have repeatedly urged, taking into account the significant role that the UN Security Council Permanent Members, as well the EU, could assume as regards security issues of the settlement and ensuring and safeguarding the smooth and secure implementation of the provisions of the settlement, we strongly believe that in a potential new Conference on Cyprus, they could assume an upgraded role.  

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 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.

Your Excellency,

In welcoming you to Cyprus, I would kindly request you to convey to the President of the United States, His Excellency Mr Donald Trump, and to the Government and the friendly people of your country, our warmest greetings and a message of sincere friendship and solidarity. Once more, I wish you every success in carrying out your duties. 

(MG/II)