Cypriot Foreign Minister Praises Ties with Qatar

Doha, October 14 (QNA) - Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Erato Kozakou-Marcoulis hailed relations between Qatar and Cyprus, especially on the political level, expressing hopes for their further advancement in all aspects. Speaking to Qatar news agency (QNA) on the occasion of Cyprus's assumption of the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU Council) from July 1st to December 31st of this year, Dr. Marcoulis pointed out Qatari-Cypriot relations, which have been remarkably boosted during the last years following the exchange of high-level political visits and the signing of a considerable number of bilateral agreements. The exchanges began in November 2008, with the visit of HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani to Cyprus and the signing of the first agreement, and continued in May 2009 with the official visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus HE Dimitris Christofias to Doha, during which further agreements were signed. "The culmination of the development of our relations was the visit of HH the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Cyprus in April 2010 and the signing of additional agreements, the most important of which were the Agreement for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment, and the Air Services Agreement," she said. "In total, around twenty agreements have been signed and ratified, and around fifteen are at the stage of negotiation," she added. The Cypriot top diplomat also referred to several visits on the ministerial level, the latest being that of HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari to Cyprus in January 2012, during which an agreement on cultural cooperation between the two countries was signed. Underlining the impressive development of bilateral relations between the two countries, Dr. Marcoulis said there is always room for further enhancement especially in the economic, trade, tourism and energy sectors, in addition to supporting Qatar's relations with the EU in light of Cyprus's current presidency. On Cyprus's role through the EU presidency, Dr. Marcoulis has asserted Cyprus's commitment in support of the aspirations of the countries experiencing the "Arab Spring" for political and democratic reforms, while voicing support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. Thanks to its geo-strategic location at the crossroads of three continents, the island of 830,000 people has always served as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world. Since its accession to the EU, Cyprus has become the Union's external frontier in the east of the Mediterranean Sea. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Dr. Marcoullis indicated that Cyprus's presidency aims to promote dialogue and communication with neighboring Arab countries in the political, economic and trade fields as well as other issues of common concern such as migration, mobility and security. The Minister also noted that Cyprus's Presidency will support and work closely with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, to implement the Common Foreign and Security Policy in accordance with the Treaty of Lisbon. Dr. Marcoullis explained that the "traditionally excellent" political and economic relations between Cyprus and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region allow Cyprus to be an "honest" and "impartial" liaison of the EU to these regions. Within the framework of the Southern dimension of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and specifically regarding the Arab Spring countries, the Cypriot top diplomat expressed her firm belief in a significant EU contribution so as to facilitate the achievement of stability, economic prosperity, development and security in these countries. In this context, the Minister stressed the importance of the upcoming 2nd EU-Arab League Foreign Affairs Ministerial Meeting, which will take place in Cairo on November 2012 during Cyprus's presidency. At her meeting with Arab League Secretary General Nabil El Araby in Nicosia last June, Dr. Marcoullis underlined the need for further cooperation between the two sides. Addressing the regular session of the Arab League Foreign Ministers Council in Cairo on September 5, she reaffirmed the EU s commitment to its partnership with the Arab world despite the economic crisis, noting that the new ENP adopts this strategic partnership. The Minister also stressed the close political cooperation between the two sides, which has been at the forefront of international goals, especially regarding the Syrian crisis. On the Palestinian cause, Dr. Marcoullis reaffirmed the EU s commitment to the creation of the State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security. "Ending the conflict is a fundamental interest of the EU, the two parties themselves and the wider region, especially with the ongoing changes across the Arab world," she said, urging the two parties of the conflict to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement based on relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid Conference terms of reference, the principle of land-for-peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States presided over by the State of Qatar. On the challenges facing Cyprus's EU presidency, Dr. Marcoullis listed her country's four priorities towards a "better Europe", entailing an EU which is more relevant to its citizens, closer to its neighbors, the Minister explained, contributing to sustainable growth, social cohesion and job creation through efficient and integrated policies, and working on the basis of the underlying principle of solidarity. One of the key issues to be dealt with during the Presidency is the negotiations of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), covering the period 2014-2020, the top diplomat indicated. "Furthermore, the Presidency is determined to contribute taking forward Iceland s accession negotiations," she explained, in addition to affirming readiness to contribute to the decisive advancement of Montenegro s accession course and the candidate status granted to Serbia. On Turkey's European vocation during Cyprus's EU Presidency, Dr. Marcoullis reiterated full support for its European candidature provided that Ankara fully respects and fulfills its obligations towards the EU, fully implements the Additional Protocol of the Association Agreement, achieves progress in the normalization of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and contributes in concrete terms to a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem in accordance with the negotiating framework and the relevant European Council conclusions. In regards to Turkey's announcement on cutting relations with the Cyprus EU presidency in return for maintaining ties with other EU institutions including the European Parliament and the European Commission, the Cypriot Foreign Minister reaffirmed her country s determination to meet the "historic challenge" of the Presidency of the EU Council successfully and effectively. "Our aim is to act in a purely presidential manner, not allowing our national problem to define our Presidency but at the same time not allowing our role to be jeopardized by the Cyprus problem," explained the Minister, who stressed that the Cyprus issue and the Cyprus Presidency are two "parallel" and "independent" processes. The Minister described the role as a "contractual obligation" and a "right" of the Republic of Cyprus as provided by its status as a full EU member state, urging Turkey as a candidate country to "respect" the institutional role of the Presidency. In this context, when asked whether the exploitation of Cyprus's gas deposits could lead to new tensions between the EU and Turkey and affect the Cyprus Presidency, Dr. Marcoullis explained that "the hydrocarbons reservoirs in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus acquire particular importance at this period due to the increased energy needs of Europe, noting that the exploitation of these reservoirs may significantly enforce energy security at the EU. In this context, Dr. Marcoullis referred to the Conclusions adopted by the General Affairs Council of the EU in December 2011, reaffirming on "all the sovereign rights of EU Member States which include, inter alia, entering into bilateral agreements, and exploring and exploiting their natural resources in accordance with the EU legislation and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea." US firm Noble Energy, which works with Cyprus, had announced at the beginning of this year the discovery of potential reserves of up to 85 trillion cubic feet of gas in the waters of the Mediterranean. (QNA)