The President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades attended a dinner on Wednesday evening hosted in his honour by the Minister of Energy of the United Kingdom Michael Fallon, at Lancaster House.
Speaking at the event, President Anastasiades said that he is committed to expanding the traditional links shared between Cyprus and the UK to new areas of collaboration. As he noted, this is after all the natural path in the evolution of the deeply rooted relationship between the two countries, featuring on several pillars such as their partnership in the EU and the Commonwealth.
“There are some basic elements that come to mind when we think of Cyprus”, said the President. “An island state in Eastern Mediterranean; at a crossing point between Europe, Asia and Africa; a Member State of the European Union at its southeastern corner; a country close and, many times affected, by its historically turbulent neighbourhood and the recent discovery of hydrocarbons off Cyprus’ coastline.
“The acknowledgment of this kaleidoscope of characteristics makes one realise the dynamics linked to the geostrategic location of Cyprus. It should hence be of no surprise that one of the main goals of my government for the last ten months has been the reorientation of the foreign policy of Cyprus based on a comprehensive and extrovert approach that aims at promoting bilateral and regional cooperation with its neighbours.
“My primary aim on external relations has been to provide a clear identity on the foreign policy of Cyprus, based on regional developments. In this respect, the focus of the government has been to contribute, with decisive added value, to the common foreign and security policy by seizing the prospects provided by the geographic position of Cyprus,” said Mr Anastasiades.
He declared his government’s aim to reinforce Cyprus’ geopolitical role with collaborations such as the ones with interested stakeholders from the UK and in particular the numerous British businesses that have expertise in the area of hydrocarbons and which “are most welcome to further their entrepreneurial ventures in Cyprus.”
As the President said, “my government is determined to swiftly proceed and implement all the necessary steps in order to realise the significant potential for Cyprus to become Eastern Mediterranean’s energy hub.”
In his address Mr Fallon said that Cyprus and the UK share values and principles as well as historic relations. He recounted how it was in Lancaster House in 1959 that “the foundation stones were laid for the independence of Cyprus.”
He added that “Cyprus is an important partner for peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus is a stable European democracy in an otherwise often turbulent region and it is your country’s support for example, in helping to destroy the chemical weapons in Syria that has shown the role that a stable democracy, like Cyprus, can play in promoting greater security across that neighbourhood.”
Speaking at the event, President Anastasiades said that he is committed to expanding the traditional links shared between Cyprus and the UK to new areas of collaboration. As he noted, this is after all the natural path in the evolution of the deeply rooted relationship between the two countries, featuring on several pillars such as their partnership in the EU and the Commonwealth.
“There are some basic elements that come to mind when we think of Cyprus”, said the President. “An island state in Eastern Mediterranean; at a crossing point between Europe, Asia and Africa; a Member State of the European Union at its southeastern corner; a country close and, many times affected, by its historically turbulent neighbourhood and the recent discovery of hydrocarbons off Cyprus’ coastline.
“The acknowledgment of this kaleidoscope of characteristics makes one realise the dynamics linked to the geostrategic location of Cyprus. It should hence be of no surprise that one of the main goals of my government for the last ten months has been the reorientation of the foreign policy of Cyprus based on a comprehensive and extrovert approach that aims at promoting bilateral and regional cooperation with its neighbours.
“My primary aim on external relations has been to provide a clear identity on the foreign policy of Cyprus, based on regional developments. In this respect, the focus of the government has been to contribute, with decisive added value, to the common foreign and security policy by seizing the prospects provided by the geographic position of Cyprus,” said Mr Anastasiades.
He declared his government’s aim to reinforce Cyprus’ geopolitical role with collaborations such as the ones with interested stakeholders from the UK and in particular the numerous British businesses that have expertise in the area of hydrocarbons and which “are most welcome to further their entrepreneurial ventures in Cyprus.”
As the President said, “my government is determined to swiftly proceed and implement all the necessary steps in order to realise the significant potential for Cyprus to become Eastern Mediterranean’s energy hub.”
In his address Mr Fallon said that Cyprus and the UK share values and principles as well as historic relations. He recounted how it was in Lancaster House in 1959 that “the foundation stones were laid for the independence of Cyprus.”
He added that “Cyprus is an important partner for peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus is a stable European democracy in an otherwise often turbulent region and it is your country’s support for example, in helping to destroy the chemical weapons in Syria that has shown the role that a stable democracy, like Cyprus, can play in promoting greater security across that neighbourhood.”
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