Keynote address
Mr. Nikos Christodoulides
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Cyprus
*
Presentation was given by Mr Evangelos Savva
Head of Security Policy Dep, Political Affairs Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Cyprus
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, I wish to
express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the organizers of today’s Conference and for the invitation to
share our thoughts on the subject of the security environment of the Eastern Mediterranean, a subject
constantly gaining in significance and which now features prominently, and almost daily, in the realm of public
policy discussions, both among experts and practitioners, but also more widely in the sphere of public opinion.
Let me say, at the outset, that systemically, the geopolitical dynamics of our region have more often than not
been characterized by strife and turbulence, rather than accord and stability. Competition amongst great
powers and also of course amongst regional actors is a common feature of the international system and even
more so in this particular corner of the world, where the crossroads of three continents converge.
Given our geographical location, any and all developments in the Eastern Mediterranean affect us in a
multitude of ways. We cannot simply tune off and ignore what happens at our doorstep. That, clearly, can
never be a viable option. Cyprus is compelled to engage with its neighborhood and devote time and energy to
ensure a high level of quality in its engagement. This is a fact which comprehensively frames and underpins
our approach.
The core of this approach is self-evident but at the same time it is an arduous, challenging task: to create a
solid structure of stability and cooperation, which in turn fosters peace and prosperity. The two are inexorably
inter-linked and mutually reinforcing for obvious and wellunderstood reasons.
This specific approach permeates our regional vision and guides our foreign policy. It is a blueprint which
places Cyprus as an anchor of stability and connects the Eastern Mediterranean and its security architecture to
the overall security structure of the European Union. Our partners and the institutions of the EU know all too
well that failing to effectively address the various issues and challenges in our region can and probably will
have a tremendously adverse effect on the continent itself. The migration crisis of 2015 which remains a
potent challenge with wide-ranging ramifications, but also the continuing battle against radical extremism,
demonstrates the saliency of this argument.
In advancing, with concrete actions, the narrative of “stability and cooperation breeds peace and prosperity”,
Cyprus embarked a few years ago on an ambitious initiative to inter-link our neighboring countries in a web of
trilateral cooperation mechanisms. Working closely in tandem with Greece, and others in the region - such as
Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine – we have formed partnerships that constitute a prime example of
good neighborly relations, a fundamental pillar of the EU itself actually in the conduct of its relations with third
countries. The multi-faceted synergies that have already been created through these mechanisms forge closer
cooperation in a wide variety of policy fields, whether in security, trade, technology, innovation, education and
others.
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