President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides remains confident that there are going to be positive news soon, before the end of the year, on Cyprus problem and the efforts to resume negotiations.
President Christodoulides who was talking Friday evening during an event hosted by the French Ambassador to Cyprus in Nicosia, for France’s National Day, reiterated that his main priority as President of the Republic of Cyprus remains the reunification of Cyprus to end 50 years of division and occupation.
“In this regard, I am working closely and intensely with the (UN) Secretary General and his Personal Envoy as we exert every possible effort to resume the talks from the point where they have been interrupted, in line with the only possible basis, the one outlined in UNSC resolutions that call for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality” he stressed, adding that following the information he received today, he remains confident that there are going to be positive news soon, before the end of the year.
According to the President, July 14th, 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution, which since then, throughout the years and across borders, continues to shed a bright light, projecting in the world the values of liberty, equality, fraternity, the cornerstones of the French Republic.
He also said that Bastille Day sparked the profound realization in people’s minds and hearts that they could, for the first time, claim and attain their basic rights, strive for freedom and democracy.
“These three words, Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, echoed and reverberated throughout France and throughout the world, they encapsulate the basic but also essential, universal democratic principles. They constitute a light of inspiration, then, now and in the years to come. They are the founding pillars of the French Republic, and they are the building blocks of so many Democracies around the world. The message and symbolism of Bastille Day is universal”, he added.
Today, we also come together to celebrate the values that form an integral part of the bond between France and Cyprus: human rights, rule of law, and democracy, President Christodoulides said, adding that especially in these challenging times of regional conflicts, pressing global threats but also rising extremism, we are reminded that we can never take our value base for granted and that it is actually our duty to come together and strive to safeguard and uphold them for our generation and for the generation of our children and the generations to come.
According to the President of the Republic, this occasion provides an opportunity to refer to the excellent level of the dynamic bilateral relations, which have been fast evolving in recent years, as reflected in the Strategic Agenda signed in 2016, adding that the depth and importance of our bilateral relations are proven concretely and recalling that shortly after assuming office, one of his first visits abroad was to Paris, in order to meet President Macron. “Together we highlighted the dynamic and steady progress of French-Cypriot relations in recent years and common vision of advancing it further”, he noted.
He added that Cyprus and France cooperate in a plethora of areas and that the close and multifaceted nature of their cooperation includes the participation of TOTAL in the exploration of hydrocarbon deposits in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus, a recognition of the role Cyprus and the region can play in Europe’s energy diversification and independence.
He also referred to the methodical work on the expansion of the French Cypriot School also in Limassol since September 2022, and the commitment to full membership to the International Organisation of ‘La Francophonie’.
He added that France is one of Cyprus’ closest partners within the European Union and together they continue to take significant steps toward a more reinforced EU with strategic autonomy, towards a more geopolitical Union with a leading role in the world, as a sovereign, geopolitical, and autonomous Europe is a shared vision between Cyprus and France.
He further noted that a reflection of the strengthening and upgrading of bilateral relations is the Agreement signed in September 2022 and ratified last April on cooperation during evacuation operations in the context of a crisis in the region of the Middle East through the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, an agreement, as he said, that demonstrates Cyprus’ role as a lighthouse of peace and stability in the turbulent region of the Eastern Mediterranean.
This role, as well as our moral obligation to act and offer assistance to our region, led to the Cyprus Maritime Corridor, providing the international community with a supplementary route for alleviating the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, said the President, adding that through the Amalthea Initiative, together with its partners, including of course France, Cyprus works on providing much needed humanitarian assistance to the civilians in Gaza.
“In this context, I would like to convey my deepest gratitude to President Macron for being one of the first to embrace and support the Amalthea Initiative when it was solely an idea we put forward, in an effort to fulfil a deep moral duty to our region. Actually, President Macron was the first to call a Conference in order to address the situation in Gaza in 2023. France played an integral role in operationalizing the Cyprus maritime corridor, and aptly assisted via its navy’s vessel transporting substantial amounts of humanitarian assistance to the Strip”, he noted.
A focal pillar of the bilateral cooperation between France and Cyprus is their strategic partnership in defence and security, continued President Christodoulides, adding that the two countries engage in joint exercises, showcasing their readiness to address challenges in a time of significant geopolitical shifts, while France remains Cyprus’ primary provider of defence capabilities.
He also said that concurrently, Cyprus continues to receive French aircraft landings at Paphos Air Base, Larnaca, and Paphos airports, and warship port calls to our facilities and in this regard, the presence of the ‘Charles de Gaulle’ aircraft carrier almost yearly stands as a testament of our willingness for collaboration. “During these times of turbulence, the enhancement of our security and defence partnership is a vital part of our constantly evolving policy, both on a regional and an EU level”, he stressed.
Subsequently, President Christodoulides reiterated Cyprus’ deep appreciation for France’s solidarity and constant support towards efforts to reach a viable settlement of the Cyprus problem.
“France has proven, time and again and especially in times of uncertainty, to be a valuable and reliable friend and my presence here today also aims to express our gratitude for France’s steadfast role and principled positions. I have no doubt that this support will continue, and France will continue to be a solid partner in realizing our vision of a reunified Cyprus, for the benefit of all Cypriots and the region”, President of the Republic said, and stressed that Cyprus will remain a strong and steadfast ally and will continue to work toward further strengthening its ties with France, “striving to achieve our shared goals for a more secure and stable Eastern Mediterranean and a stronger EU with a leading role in the world”.
In closing, he thanked French Ambassador Salina Grenet-Catalano for all she has offered and assured her that her role has been “instrumental in the substantial enhancement of our bilateral relations and we would be more than happy to see you again in Cyprus”.
“With these thoughts allow me to raise my glass to the prosperity of the French people and the further enhancement of our relations”, concluded the President.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.
