From: Presidency of the Republic
20/02/26 14:48 | Speech / Address | President of the Republic / Presidency, Foreign Policy
Your Excellency,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Lefkosia and to extend my congratulations on your appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Cyprus. I wish you every success in the performance of your duties and assure you that my government stands ready to assist you in your mandate.
Cyprus and Cuba have maintained diplomatic relations for sixty-five years. Cuba was among the very first countries to recognize the Republic of Cyprus upon its independence, on 22 November 1960, thereby laying the foundations of a relationship firmly anchored in the core principles of the United Nations Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
Although separated by great geographical distance, Cyprus and Cuba share the distinct character of island states, shaped by the sea and enriched by their unique cultural traditions. Over the decades, our two countries have cultivated warm and enduring ties, strengthened through bilateral cooperation at the diplomatic, technical, economic, social, and cultural levels. This partnership has been further deepened by a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding in fields such as education, culture, health, tourism, science, and sports, reflecting our shared commitment to broadening and enriching our collaboration.
At the same time, the presence of resident diplomatic missions in Lefkosia and Havana, along with Parliamentary Friendship Groups in both countries, has contributed to maintaining bilateral engagement and continuous dialogue. Cooperation has also extended to multilateral frameworks and international organizations, most notably in the United Nations, where our two countries consistently uphold the value of multilateral synergies as an essential pillar of international peace and stability.
At the people-to-people level, recent years have witnessed a growing number of Cypriot citizens visiting Cuba, fostering their connection with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant history. Cyprus has also, within its means, extended humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people, including through financial assistance via the United Nations and delivery of medical supplies following natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Melissa, Rafael, and Oscar. These gestures stand as a testament to the enduring solidarity and friendship that continue to define the relationship between our two countries.
Your Excellency,
At this point, I wish to reiterate Cyprus’s appreciation for Cuba’s consistent and principled position on the Cyprus Question and its support of our efforts to reach a lasting, comprehensive, and viable settlement, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
Furthermore, Cyprus views its relations with Cuba within the broader framework of the EU’s relations with Cuba. The strengthening of ties between the European Union and the wider Latin America and Caribbean region is part of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of EU priorities. The European Union remains Cuba’s main trading partner and one of the principal providers of humanitarian and development assistance. The EU–Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, now in its ninth year of provisional application, provides the basis for structured engagement and dialogue, including on matters related to human rights, in the interest of all Cuban citizens.
I once again extend to you my warmest welcome to Cyprus and convey my best wishes for every success in the fulfillment of your mission. I am confident that your tenure will further deepen the ties between Cyprus and Cuba and will carry our longstanding friendship to new heights of cooperation.
(KA/NZ/LY)