Expatriates are considered "the best ambassadors" of Cyprus' interests, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Andreas Kakouris, said on Wednesday, noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is building a new strategy for cooperation with expatriates.
In his greeting during the first day of the opening of the World Conference of Cypriot Diaspora, in a hotel in the capital, Mr. Kakouris pointed out that "the diaspora is a vital, important component of our activity and expatriates are considered the best ambassadors of interests our country". For this reason, he continued, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is structuring a new strategy for cooperation with expatriates, based on the challenges faced by both the diaspora and the Republic of Cyprus under the burden of the ongoing occupation and aiming to capitalize on the successes of the foreign of the policy to achieve its main goal of the reunification of Cyprus.
As he said, this new basis of cooperation, which will be built together with the expatriates, will aim to strengthen the meaningful dialogue and interaction on a transparent basis with defined goals and schedules.
Mr. Kakouris noted that under the shadow of the data created by the passage of half a century since Turkey's invasion of Cyprus and the ongoing occupation, the President of the Republic, the Government and the diplomatic corps are focused on trying to push Turkey to the table of negotiations with the fixed goal of reaching a solution based on the resolutions of the Security Council and the European Acquis. "A solution that will lead to the withdrawal of the occupying troops from the island, will reunite Cyprus and secure its future and the future generations of all its citizens," he said.
The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined that despite the negative attitude of the Turkish side, which insists on the narrative of the two states and its efforts to internationally promote an illegal separatist entity abroad, "our side looks forward to the continuation of the work of the personal envoy of the United Nations and creation of the necessary conditions that will allow the resumption of negotiations as soon as possible within the agreed framework, as determined by the resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations".
At the same time, he mentioned, among other things, the importance of Cyprus joining the European Union, the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the European Union in 2026, immigration, tripartite cooperation with South-Eastern Mediterranean countries, and the crisis in the Middle East.
He underlined that Cyprus, as a pillar of stability, contributes to shaping regional conditions of peace, security and prosperity through active diplomacy, promoting practical initiatives and facilitating purely humanitarian operations. He referred to the "Estia" project but also to the "Amalthia" humanitarian sea corridor.
He also said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making every possible effort to defend the interests of the Republic of Cyprus to the greatest extent. "Currently we number 57 diplomatic missions with 78 diplomats serving at the Center and 97 diplomats abroad," he said. He added that the recruitment of new diplomats is imminent, while pointing out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Ministry with the smallest budget. He also mentioned that the Ministry has proceeded with the opening of two new diplomatic missions in Manama and Buenos Aires, while the diplomatic mission in Jakarta has reopened. He added that missions in Yerevan and Astana will be operational within the year.
Mr. Kakouris praised the role of the Diaspora saying that "your assistance as transmitters of the messages of the Republic of Cyprus is invaluable".
For her part, the Director of the Cypriot Expatriates and Returnees Service, Ambassador Theodora Konstantinidou, assured that both she personally, as the head of the service, but also all the members of the expatriate service "we are committed to upgrading the cooperation with you, to have a transparent framework of cooperation and honest dialogue in order to strengthen your efforts to promote the rights of Cyprus and for the survival of our families abroad".
Mrs. Konstantinidou added that she is aware of the great challenges that expatriates face and that they need the strong support of the Center, saying that "it is our commitment that we will promote measures to strengthen your efforts".
Addressing the youth of the emigrants and the President of NEPOMAC, Christos Touton, Mrs. Konstantinidou indicated that the youth all over the world at the moment have to face challenges regarding their careers, employment, careers, but especially its young people Diasporas also have to deal with the struggle to stay connected to their roots.
He stated that "in this context, youth issues have been placed at the core of the priorities of the action that will be drawn up and soon there will be an in-depth dialogue to see what the needs of support from the Center are."
It was preceded by a presentation of the work program of the 30th Session of the POMAC-PSEKA Central Council with the Election of a Committee of Documents and Resolutions and an Account of the Actions of the Federations.
Furthermore, the Representatives of the Federations from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the USA, Africa, Greece and France reported the actions of their Federations, as well as the problems they face.
Source: KYPE