Press Releases

Ι would like to express my sincere appreciation to President Karis for the warm hospitality he has permitted to my delegation and myself to experience here tonight. Άϊτα (Aitäh = Σας ευχαριστώ στα Εσθονικά).

Indeed, Cyprus and Estonia may be at the two geographical extremes of the European continent, yet our relations have traditionally been excellent and have developed based on concrete substance and shared values and beliefs of peace, democracy and justice.  

To this end, our meeting earlier this morning confirmed the desire of both sides to strengthen and expand the cooperation of our countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

As I assured President Karis, it is my Government’s aim and desire to work towards the further enhancement of these ties in fields such as investments, trade, tourism, education, health and research and development, and to explore new fields of cooperation through the conclusion of new agreements.

In this regard, I am truly pleased that the new MoU on e-governance & Information and Communication Technologies aims at making our already existing collaboration in digital matters more comprehensive and productive.

At the same time, as partners in the European family, recognizing that our future is interlinked, we will continue working together to achieve joint goals and address common challenges.

Dear Mr President,              

Our cooperation is based on values and principles, with the utmost respect for international law.  

Ensuring respect for international law, becomes even more imperative under the light of the unjustifiable Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Parallels between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974 - and its continuing occupation - are staggering.  Time does not allow me to elaborate on the analogies.

What I can say though is that, being ourselves victims of the Turkish military occupation and its tragic consequences, we fully share the need to display practical solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people.

As Europeans, we should remain united in condemning the Russian aggression and keep applying pressure to make Moscow change its behaviour, but also assume a more active role so as diplomatic means prevail with the aim of securing a cease-fire to end the tragic loss of innocent lives, including of children.   

[I think that we all agree that - while we all hope for a rapid restoration of peace in Europe - Russia’s invasion of Ukraine does have and will continue to have profound consequences for the future of European security.

A renewed architecture will certainly be required to protect Europe’s security and defend its values in the years ahead.

My country also must find its place in the security architecture that will take shape and in which the system ushered in by the 1975 Helsinki Final Act will be central]. 

Dear Alar,

As I have stressed during our meeting this morning, our side will continue its numerous and persistent efforts to resume negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus issue, in line always with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and will continue assuming initiatives to provide a way out of the current deadlock.

To this end, I would have been remiss had I not extended, yet again, the genuine appreciation of the Government and the people of Cyprus to your personal interest and strong support to reaching a comprehensive and viable political solution which will reunite Cyprus in a modern and truly independent state, free from any foreign dependencies and interferences.

Mr President,

We have a responsibility to further promote the friendship and cooperation between our countries. I am, therefore, particularly pleased with my visit in your beautiful country, which reaffirms our common intention to work in this direction and to broaden the dynamics of our relationship.

Dear Alar: With these words, I wish to thank you once more for your warm hospitality and raise a toast:

-        To the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Estonia and;

-        To the long-standing friendship between Estonia and Cyprus and its further enhancement.

Thank you.

(RM/NG)