Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received on Monday, March 18, 2019, at a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Lyubomir Todorov.

Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Todorov said:

“Your Excellency/ Mr President,

Allow me to present the Letters of Credence by which H.E. the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Rumen Radev, has appointed me to be the next Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the Letters of Recall of my predecessor. I have the pleasant task to extend the most cordial greetings and best wishes of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Rumen Radev, the Prime minister, Mr Boyko Borissov, and the Bulgarian Government and people to you, to the members of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and to the people of Cyprus for progress, prosperity and all success.

The bilateral relations between our countries are excellent, we have no unsolved issues and our political dialogue is active and fruitful. I believe that in the very near future we will have the opportunity to carry out new meetings on high level with the aim of further strengthening and deepening our co-operation. I am confident that the direct contacts between Bulgarian and Cypriot government offices can bring to concrete positive results.  

A solid basis for our interaction is the membership of both countries in the European Union.  Bulgaria is grateful for the solidarity of the Republic of Cyprus with the Bulgarian priorities in the frames of the European policies – our joining the Schengen area, our positions on the Mechanism for co-operation and verification, the cohesion and migration policy. We have not forgotten that the Republic of Cyprus was among the first countries to ratify the Agreement for our accession to the European Union and to open its labor market for Bulgarian workers.                    

As a principle, when we speak of economic relations and trade turnover we always note that there is still an unused potential. So is the case with our two countries, despite that the commercial exchange marks significant growth during the last years. I believe that with joint efforts we will be able to find these additional resources which will accelerate our economic co-operation and will maximize potential opportunities in the areas of trade, economy, tourism and transport.

An important aspect, not only of the economic, but also of the political development is the energy self-sufficiency – an issue that I truly hope that the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Cyprus will be able to solve successfully. I consider that here we have a broad basis for exchange of views and to discuss possible liaison.

The Republic of Bulgaria shares the suffering of your island – its partition and the negative consequences as a result of this. We hope for a new start of negotiations and believe that this is the true path towards a united Cyprus within the European Union. The Bulgarian standing on the Cyprus issue stays integral and consistent. We expect the achievement of a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the principles on which the European Union is founded.

In today’s global world the human contacts are easily achieved, but we must work for enhancing their quality. This is why I consider that there is still potential between our two countries to develop the cultural ties and the educational co-operation, especially the contacts between Universities in the fields of scientific research and protection of cultural heritage. We are happy to note that thousands of Cypriot nationals have graduated from Bulgarian Universities and that this process still continues. The presence of a large number of Bulgarian nationals in the Republic of Cyprus, who are contributing for the economic development of your country, is a kind of cultural bridge which continues the longstanding historic ties and cultural proximity between the Bulgarian and Cypriot peoples. Allow me to add one more significant factor – our common Orthodox Christian faith.

Your Excellency/ Mr President,

Let me assure you that I will not spare any efforts in the process of deepening the interaction of our countries in bilateral, European and global domains, and allow me to quote the American diplomat Henry Kissinger who said that no foreign policy – no matter how ingenious – has any chance of success if it is born in the mind of a few and carried in the hearts of none. The clue to everything is man, the human being. Aspiring as well to reinforce the relations between our two countries on a people-to-people oriented basis, encouraging cultural interaction and exchange, I extend the cordial wish that long-standing friendly cooperation between Bulgaria and Cyprus may unfold on a further enriched in its manifold aspects path.       

Please, accept your Excellency/Mr President my highest consideration.»

Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic said:

«Your Excellency,

I am pleased to welcome you to the Presidential Palace. The ceremony for the presentation of your letters of credential marks the beginning of your official mission as the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Cyprus. I would like to assure you that my Government is at hand to provide you with all the necessary assistance in the performance of your high duties and I personally look forward to working closely with you on further advancing the already excellent bilateral relations between our two countries.

Cyprus and Bulgaria share long-standing ties of friendship. Over the years and as a result of our mutual respect and understanding, as well as our adherence to shared values, our bilateral relations have steadily grown, leading to a substantive dialogue and relationship marked by excellent cooperation in many areas, including commerce, investment and culture.

Evident of the continuous enhancement of our relations, is the fact that Cyprus now ranks as the sixth largest investor in Bulgaria. I am certain that this promising positive trend will continue to develop and deepen in the years to come. Furthermore, the ties between our two countries are enhanced through the dynamic presence of  a Bulgarian community of 30.000 people who live and work in Cyprus, which enriches the cultural fabric of the Cypriot society and contributes to the Cypriot economy.

Our shared EU identity further enhances our ties. As close partners in the European Union, our countries have developed an excellent level of cooperation in an effort to achieve our common goals, derived by the European agenda, and in addressing our common challenges.

Allow me on this occasion to extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for Bulgaria’s principled position on the Cyprus problem, and the country’s steadfast support to our efforts to end the Turkish occupation and reunify our island through a viable and comprehensive settlement, in line with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and EU law, values and principles.

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 united Cyprus and on the other hand would establish a dysfunctional federal state.

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.

Ambassador Todorov, in welcoming you to Cyprus, I would kindly request that you convey to His Excellency, President Roumen Radev, as well as to the amicable people of the Bulgarian Republic our warmest greetings and a message of friendship and solidarity.

I wish you fruitful and productive work in Cyprus and also personal happiness. I hope that your stay will be both useful and interesting.”

(ML/II)