President welcomes 13 new ambassadors, focusing on energy

The Eastern Mediterranean can play a decisive role in addressing the energy crisis resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Wednesday as he assured that Cyprus is ready to be part of this solution.

The president was speaking during the accreditation ceremony of 13 new ambassadors – from Pakistan, Mongolia, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Armenia, North Macedonia, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Kenya, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Vietnam and Rwanda.

The war in Ukraine figured prominently in the president’s address, both as regards energy security as well as the importance of multilateralism in defending the rule of law.

Russia’s invasion in Ukraine undermines international peace and security, he said.

Cyprus remains steadfastly committed to defending the principles of international law, democracy and human rights, and condemned from the outset the Russian attacks, underlining its firm support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, he added.

The dramatic developments in Ukraine and their domino effect, have proven now, more than ever, that energy security can only be ensured through synergies and joint actions.

This also includes the strengthening of EU’s diversification of energy sources, including interconnections that are so important to Cyprus, especially in the current fragmented geopolitical context, he said.

“The Eastern Mediterranean region, with its abundance of energy resources, both in terms of hydrocarbons and renewables, can play a decisive role in addressing the current crisis by providing an alternative corridor of energy to Europe,” Anastasiades said.

Cyprus, due to its key geo-position, as well as its excellent relations and long-standing synergies in the field of energy with neighbouring countries, stands ready to be part of much needed energy solutions, he added.

In a pointer to Turkey, the president castigated state actors and revisionist powers that constantly undermine global peace and stability.

“As in the case of Ukraine, our country also struggles, for almost five decades, with illegal occupation following the 1974 invasion by Turkey, which forced thousands of Cypriots to flee their home,” he said.

But it was nevertheless important to look to the future and work to create conditions for the resumption of negotiations to resolve the Cyprus issue.

To this end he had submitted “game-changing Confidence Building Measures” aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two communities and contributing to creating favourable conditions for a dialogue.

These touch upon the fenced city of Varosha, the operation of Tymbou airport and Famagusta port, lifting of the Turkish embargo vis-à-vis Cyprus, and the exploitation of hydrocarbons.

“My proposal also includes an invitation to Turkey to negotiate and conclude an agreement for the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone/continental shelf between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, in accordance with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he said.

Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side should show a similar degree of commitment and stop undermining any efforts towards resuming the bicommunal talks either through illegal plans and actions in the fenced area of Varosha and Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zones or by advocating divisive or non-functional solutions, he said.