President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, thanked on Friday the Czech Republic for its unwavering support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and for its principled position on the Cyprus problem.
Receiving the credentials of new Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nicosia, Jana Hybášková, the President extended “our sincere gratitude for Czechia’s unwavering support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. We deeply value your country’s principled position on the Cyprus problem towards our efforts to resume negotiations for a viable and lasting settlement, firmly anchored on the agreed UN framework and the EU principles and values,” he added.
He also referred to the bilateral cooperation between Cyprus and Czechia, describing it as both broad and dynamic, noting that it encompasses defence, economy and trade, tourism, research and innovation.
The President highlighted the presence of the Cyprus-Czechia Business Association, established in 2008, as a key driver in fostering economic ties between the two countries.
“Operating under the auspices of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and with the active support of the Czech Embassy in Nicosia and the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus, the Association continues to contribute meaningfully to the promotion of trade and economic cooperation,” he said.
Referring to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union that will begin in January, he said that this will be “a role we embrace with profound sense of responsibility and determination”.
“Fully aware of the complex challenges confronting Europe, our region and the wider world, we are committed to working closely with all our partners, including Czechia, to advance a results-oriented agenda that serves the interests of our shared European family,” he concluded.
Presenting her credentials, the new Ambassador said that the Czech Republic fully supports the solution of the Cyprus problem, on legal base of the UN Resolutions.
She also said that her country “understands Cyprus strategic ambitions to work as closely as possible with NATO and mainly to participate in European Defense platforms such as SAFE” adding that “we see cooperation in defense areas on European platforms as very important new step. We would love to see collaboration of our defense industries”.
Referring to the situation in the Middle East, the new Ambassador of Czechia said that the region still needs our humanitarian assistance and thanked Cyprus for its ESTIA program, saying that “as the mid-size country, we do not possess large evacuation capacities. ESTIA is a program, which helps us tremendously. We are ready to support it and participate in it, if needed”.
She also said that Gaza needs peace, humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, adding that her country fully supports European humanitarian and security activities in the region.
“We are fully ready to cooperate with Cyprus, in areas where we can be most productive” she noted.
Moreover, she said that there are more than 2000 Czech companies currently registered in Cyprus, most of them are IT companies. “Areas as security of Cyprus banking sector, AI management of health systems, AI management of tourism are all new niches to develop” she pointed out.
Finally, she conveyed an invitation from President of the Czech Republic Peter Pavel for the Cypriot President to visit the country.
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.