Press Releases

The Acting President of the Republic, President of the House of Representatives, Mr Demetris Syllouris, received the credentials of the Ambassador of New Zealand, Mr Anthony George Simpson, stationed in Rome, during a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.    

Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Simpson, speaking in English, said: 

“Your Excellency,

I am pleased to present on behalf of the Governor-General of New Zealand, Her Excellency Dame Patsy Reddy, a Letter of Credence regarding my appointment as New Zealand’s High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus; as well as a Letter of Recall for my successor.

I also bring you warm greetings from Her Excellency, and from the Government and People of New Zealand.

Your Excellency,

There are many reasons why New Zealand and Cyprus enjoy such a naturally warm friendship.

There are the strong links between our people, including the vibrant and thriving Cypriot community who New Zealand is proud to call its citizens.

There are our close ties as members of the Commonwealth family.

There are our shared values and our close cooperation on the global stage, including our advocacy for peace and security, human rights, and the international rules-based system.

There is our shared identity as small but proud island nations, and our passionate advocacy for the sustainable management of our oceans and the needs and unique vulnerabilities of small island developing states.

But as I believe there is more we can do together.

I look forward to discussing further with your Government what we might do the coming years to bring our two countries even close together.

One possibility would be the conclusion of a modest working holiday scheme, which would provide our young people an opportunity to experience life in each other’s countries.

New Zealand has also appreciated your Government’s support and advice as we seek to strengthen our ties with the European Union.

In this regard, we have also welcomed your firm support for the conclusion of an EU-New Zealand free trade agreement.

Once in place, I am confident this will provide a firm basis for deepening trade and economic ties between our countries.

Your Excellency,

As a close friend to Cyprus, New Zealand has always been a strong supporter efforts to reunify this beautiful island, and to achieve both the resolution of past grievances and the reconciliation of its communities.

New Zealand contributed police personnel to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus in the 1960s – the first ever deployment of New Zealand police as international peacekeepers.

New Zealander Dame Ann Hercus also served as the UN Special Representative for Cyprus in the late 1990s; and New Zealand has sought to support the peace process during its recent terms as a member of the UN Security Council.

I understand that progress in the latest negotiations has now stalled. That is disappointing. However, New Zealand recognises that this is not due to any lack of will or effort on the part of the Republic of Cyprus. In this regard, let me commend the courage and commitment that you personally have shown in seeking to make this process a success.

I hope that current obstacles can be overcome, and that agreement can be reached on a just and sustainable settlement that brings peace and prosperity to your people.

Your Excellency,

Despite the significant geographic distance that exists between our two peoples, there is much that binds us.

I look forward to working with you during the term of my appointment to further strengthening these bonds.”

Receiving the credentials, the Acting President said:

“Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

From the outset, I wish to express the President’s sincere apologies, who, due to the minor incident he had this past Saturday, is unable to receive your letters of credence.

It gives me a great pleasure to warmly welcome you all at the Presidential Palace today as the new Heads of Mission of your respective countries to the Republic of Cyprus. I would like to congratulate you on your appointments and to assure you of our full support in the execution of your high duties.

I also wish to pay tribute to your predecessors for their efforts in steadily enhancing our dialogue and cooperation, always serving the shared interests of our people.

The Government looks forward to working closely with you to further promote the different dimensions of our bilateral relations. I also want to affirm the President’s desire to expand the scope of our cooperation and to intensify synergies in various fields of common interest.   

It is our sincere wish that today’s Ceremony of Presentation of Credentials will mark the beginning of a new era in our bilateral relations, further enriching existing ties and forging new opportunities of mutual beneficial partnership.

The global challenges we are currently facing, from the rise of extremism to climate change and migration, require the ever-closer collaboration between our countries and Governments. 

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I want to take this opportunity and shortly brief you on the economic outlook of the Republic of Cyprus. Following the severe economic crisis of 2013, our country has achieved a return to positive growth rates since 2015.

We have acknowledged our mistakes of the past and worked very hard to address some of the structural challenges in our economy. As a result, we currently enjoy a growth rate of around 3.5%, while macroeconomic forecasts project a robust growth of more than 3% in the years to come.

Moreover, we have achieved consecutive balanced budgets with primary surplus, while unemployment, which in 2013 had risen to 16%, has now dropped to almost 7% and is expected to be further reduced.

The banking system, re-focusing its operations and fully adhering to the strictest international transparency and compliance regulations, is now based on a stronger and healthier base in terms of capitalization, liquidity and profitability.

The positive course of the Cyprus economy restored the confidence and trust of investors and of International Credit Rating Agencies, which is reflected by a number of successive upgrades, currently classifying Cyprus at the investment grade.

Our plan is to remain focused on maintaining and broadening the conditions under which surpluses and high growth rates can be generated, to continue promoting structural reforms and improving the country’s business environment.

Excellencies,

Our ceremony today takes place during a very challenging time for the Republic of Cyprus. It was not my intention, but unfortunately I am forced to bring to your attention the recent alarming developments in our Exclusive Economic Zone related to Turkey’s continued aggressive behaviour and illegal actions that are indeed a cause of serious concern.

As you understand, these hostile actions by Turkey, apart from creating a volatile atmosphere in the wider region, have also extremely negative consequences on the prospect of resuming talks on the Cyprus problem.

Yet, despite Turkey’s continuous threatening rhetoric, the President remains - as always - strongly committed in engaging in a new round of negotiations with the aim to reach a lasting and comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue, in line with the relevant UN Resolutions, and International and EU Law.

A settlement that will safeguard the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, ensuring the peaceful co-existence of all Cypriots, Greek and Turkish, without any third country dependencies, military troops and guarantees.

We do hope that Turkey will finally adopt a more realistic and constructive approach and will refrain from such actions the soonest. At the same time, we hope that our Turkish Cypriot compatriots will fully abide to the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions which call for the return and resettlement of Varosha by its rightful and lawful owners and inhabitants.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express the sincere appreciation of the people and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for your countries’ principled stance on the Cyprus issue and the long-standing support in our efforts to end the current status quo on the island.

Excellencies,

This year we celebrate 46 years of bilateral relations with Mongolia. Despite the lack of geographical proximity, we stand ready to expand our cooperation in a number of areas of mutual interest. This will not only strengthen our bonds, but it will also provide us with the opportunity to learn from best practices in our respective countries.

Cyprus and Nepal share a cordial friendship based on common values and principles of peace, security and development that are enshrined in international law and the United Nations Charter. Nepal’s significant contribution to UN peace keeping operations demonstrates the country’s commitment to peace and prosperity.

With New Zealand we share a long-standing friendship. We look forward to working towards the deepening of our relations in fields such as finance, trade, maritime, education, infrastructure and technology, as well as expanding our cooperation in various areas, social security and tourism to name a few. In this endeavour, we rely also on the support of the active and expanding Cypriot community that has made New Zealand its home.

With respect to Malaysia, we remain committed on further broadening our bilateral relations and finalizing the Agreements and Memoranda for which discussions are underway. We are also keen in enhancing the development of our cooperation within international organisations and fora, for the mutual benefit of our countries and respective regions.

As regards Ethiopia, our relations are based on a solid framework of mutual respect and understanding. The Government is ready to join efforts in exploring new fields of potential partnership. Within the EU, Cyprus remains committed to the further enhancement of the political dialogue and cooperation between the Union and Ethiopia.

South Africa and Cyprus have traditionally close ties, in particular within the Commonwealth. We look forward to the further strengthening of our close bilateral relations and our cooperation in international fora. Cyprus will continue supporting the deepening of South Africa’s relations with the European Union.

Last but not least, with Jamaica we share the common political will to advance our cooperation. Cyprus stands ready to intensify these coordinated efforts to facilitate the further development of the EU-Jamaica relations. 

Excellencies,

In concluding, I would like to convey the President’s best wishes for every success in the accomplishment of your important work. Please accept my most heartfelt congratulations for your appointments and the beginning of your diplomatic missions in Cyprus.

Thank you”.

(MG/IΙ)