"Cyprus is determined to live up to its historic responsibility and do its utmost to provide a more stable, prosperous and reconciling future in the region," said President Nikos Anastasiadis in a speech tonight entitled " The true story of the geopolitical role of Cyprus: David or Goliath? " at the London School of Economics, as part of his official visit to the British capital.
He also said that the process of joining the NATO Partnership for Peace Program will begin.
In his speech, President Anastasiadis referred to the "dynamic process that constitutes the geopolitical role of Cyprus, the development of which depends not only on its geographical location, but mainly on the variability of the environment in which it operates."
He then referred to the goal of conscious reorientation of the country's foreign policy, based on a comprehensive and extroverted approach aimed primarily at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, protecting and exploiting the country's natural wealth, strengthening its participation in all its pillars and policies. Active contribution to the promotion of peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and the upgrading of bilateral relations with the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel, without affecting deep-seated relations with countries such as Russia, China and the Arab world .
"A very decisive guiding principle of this policy, which in essence marks a strategic shift in our foreign policy doctrine, is our decision to start the process of joining the NATO Peace Partnership Program," said President Anastasiadis. He commented that Cyprus is the only EU country not a member of the Program, and this is an anomaly that needs to be corrected.
The President of the Republic stressed that Cyprus has shown that it can take on the role of a bridge builder between Europe, North Africa, the Near and Middle East. He cited the example of providing shelter and humanitarian aid from the Syrian crisis, as well as providing a support base for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations.
Turning his attention to energy issues, President Anastasiadis stressed that the promising prospect of hydrocarbon exploitation requires the cooperation of all the countries of the eastern Mediterranean, which will lay the foundations for regional peace.
"In terms of hydrocarbon policy-making, we seek to have synergies, to optimize resource development, to create opportunities and to remove challenges, if any, for potential investors through transnational bilateral and regional cooperation," she said. Democracy, which also spoke of greater energy security in Europe.
He referred to the EEZ delimitation agreements with Egypt, Israel and Lebanon, which "provide legal security for international oil and gas companies to freely explore and exploit hydrocarbons in the region". He added that the decision to set up LNG facilities would allow neighboring countries to export gas safely to the EU and Asia and would attract interested companies in the region. "Politically, the Cypriot LNG terminal can be a hub for regional cooperation and a vehicle for regional dialogue between the countries of the eastern Mediterranean and at the same time serve as a direct link between the region and the EU," added President Anastasiadis. The question should not be "if", but "when" we will start this joint project. The time is now. "
Referring to the Cyprus issue, he stressed that a viable solution would be in the interest of all Cypriots. He commented that he remains "convinced that such a development would undoubtedly have a very significant side effect in achieving and maintaining an environment of stability and peace in the region that is so needed". He added that a reunited Cyprus would prove to be of great value for the development of EU-Turkey relations, including in the field of security.
He stated that Cyprus is determined to rise to the level of its historical responsibility and to do its utmost with the aim of providing a more stable, prosperous and more reconciling future in the region. "We hope that a country that aspires to be recognized as a regional leader will rise to the occasion and will fulfill its obligations not only in terms of international law, but also towards the EU", added Nikos Anastasiadis.
Regarding the economic situation on the island, the President of the Republic reminded that Cyprus is known for its resilience and ability to adapt to adverse conditions, which was proven in 1974. He said he was proud that this time the country has stood in the way. her height, determined to follow the recovery plan. At this point he expressed his gratitude for the help from the British government.
He noted that the goal is to achieve a gradual recovery of the Cypriot economy from 2015, emphasizing its strengths, such as educated workforce, high specialization and the ability to support critical growth sectors, such as shipping, tourism investment and energy.
"Cypriots choose to be optimistic," he commented, adding that this is the time to turn the crisis into an opportunity. "Cyprus is neither David nor Goliath. What is Cyprus? "I could not say it better than George Seferis, the poet, when he wrote" Cyprus is a place where miracles still work "", concluded the President of the Republic.