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- Ελληνικά
The President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Christodoulides hosted tonight, at the Presidential Palace, an official dinner in honour of the President of Italy Mr. Sergio Mattarella, who is making the first official visit of an Italian President to the Republic of Cyprus.
The President of the Republic was accompanied by his wife Mrs Philippa Carcera Christodoulides and President Mattarella was accompanied by his daughter Mrs Laura Mattarella.
The dinner was also attended by the ecclesiastical, state and political leadership, members of the Government and other officials.
Addressing the dinner, the President of the Republic said "I would like once again to welcome to Cyprus the President of the Italian Republic, Mr Sergio Mattarella, Mrs Laura Mattarella and the rest of the Italian delegation.
The first visit of an Italian President to Cyprus since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus is an event of great symbolic and substantial importance, not only because it restores a historical oddity, given the close relations between our countries, but also because it marks a new era, where I am sure that our relations will become even stronger.
At the same time, the fact that the Italian President's visit takes place just three months after my working visit to Rome highlights our common will to intensify our bilateral contacts at the highest possible level.
I am particularly pleased to have the honour of welcoming you today in Cyprus, Mr. President. I am well aware that you are now the longest serving President in the history of the Italian Republic. I am also well aware that this fact reflects, among other things, the profound esteem in which you are held by the Italian people, by the entire political spectrum of the country and by the wider international community, which recognises in you a politician of rare ethics, a high sense of justice and a genuine exponent of European principles and values.
Interpreting the feelings of the entire Cypriot people, I welcome to Cyprus today the First Citizen of the Italian Republic, the President of a people to whom Cypriots feel a genuine and fraternal closeness. I am sure that your island origin, from the great and historic island of Sicily, has already made you feel a natural familiarity with our land.
The two countries are linked by history, culture, our common European home, the Mediterranean Sea. We represent two peoples closely linked since ancient times. Evidence of this historical link is scattered throughout Cyprus and we will have the opportunity to visit some of them tomorrow. Our common Mediterranean identity is the foundation for the close cooperation we have built and the common goals and approaches we share on both bilateral issues and issues on the agenda of the European Union.
This year Cyprus completes 20 years since its accession to the European Union. This is the most important achievement of the Republic of Cyprus since its independence in 1960 and we are particularly pleased that your visit, the President of a founding member of the European Union, where, after all, the Treaty of Rome was signed, is taking place on this very important anniversary for the Cypriot people. Moreover, our cooperation within the EU is very close, not only at the level of the 27, but also at the level of the nine Mediterranean Member States of the EU, as well as the five Mediterranean Member States of the EU on migration issues, where as frontline states we have common goals and aspirations.
In addition to the milestone of 20 years since our accession to the EU, unfortunately, this year also marks 50 years since the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of European territory. On this Mediterranean island, on the territory of an EU Member State, for 50 years there have been refugees, trapped, missing, European citizens deprived of basic human rights.
The Cyprus problem was another issue we discussed today and together with the Italian President we visited the ceasefire line that separates the free and Turkish-occupied areas of our country.
In the context of our discussion, I assured President Matarella that I will make every effort to resume the Cyprus settlement talks on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and EU principles and values, so that all Cypriot European citizens can enjoy the benefits of a reunited homeland within the EU, the same benefits enjoyed by all European citizens without exception.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Matarella for Italy's unwavering support for the resolution of the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework and always on the basis of international law.
In conclusion, I would like once again to express my deep satisfaction for this first, historic visit of an Italian President to Cyprus, which I am sure will be the trigger for an even more substantial strengthening of our relations, so that their level reflects the sincere feelings of intimacy between our peoples. Thank you again, Mr. President, for immediately accepting my invitation to visit our island at an important moment in time.
I propose a toast to the President of Italy, Mr. Sergio Mattarella, Mrs. Laura Mattarella, their entourage and the entire Italian people."
For his part, President Mattarella said, among other things, that "this visit to Nicosia, the first by a President of the Italian Republic, remedies a delay and a gap, given our common participation in the EU and our excellent bilateral relations."
He also expressed the hope that his visit to Cyprus would be a lever for further development of the bilateral relationship.
He also noted that this fruitful relationship is evidenced, inter alia, by the Mediterranean identity of the two countries, but also by their cultural and archaeological heritage.
"Your hometown, which I will visit tomorrow, is a tangible expression of this reality", said the President of Italy, addressing President Christodoulides, adding that "the mosaics, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which are preserved in Paphos, can be compared to those of Villa de Casale in Sicily, my region. And Paphos itself was described as an idyllic place by one of the greatest Italian poets, Ludovico Ariosto."
He also referred to the Italian community in Cyprus and the Italian businesses based on the island.
Regarding the anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the EU, the Italian President noted that the Republic of Cyprus "plays a fundamental role, acting as a hub for ensuring the EU's energy security. The future energy security of the whole EU passes, in this sense, also through the island and its resources can be a vehicle for meeting and agreement with the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and not for competition and confrontation. This is something that we need."
He also underlined the very important geostrategic role of Cyprus in the region, noting that "it is a reference point, an outpost of the European capacity to react to crises with foresight, generosity and readiness". He also expressed thanks for the assistance provided by Cyprus in the evacuation of civilians from the crisis areas, including Italian nationals.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, the Italian President stressed the need to find a solution on the basis of UN resolutions, noting that tomorrow he will visit the Committee of Inquiry on Missing Persons to pay "tribute to all the victims of the Cypriot tragedy which still remains a tragedy, as well as to all those who work for dialogue, to seek and build a future based on respect and not on resentment and confrontation".
Addressing President Christodoulides, the President of Italy said that "your personal commitment to the resumption of talks between the two communities and your call for a joint effort by all those involved in the search for a definitive solution to the Cyprus problem, in the framework of the UN and with the contribution of the EU, deserve appreciation and admiration.
Italy stands by your side in your efforts to promote the agenda of intercommunal reconciliation, long awaited not only by the Cypriots but also by the entire international community.
(PM/NG)
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