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Evening Highlighting Cyprus

An evening highlighting Cyprus was held on Wednesday 26th November, 2008 organized by the Embassy of Cyprus in cooperation with the Friends of the Finnish Institute in Athens. The evening focusing on Cyprus offered guests traditional Cypriot delicacies and wine along with the opportunity to learn more about the country through the presentation given by H.E. the Ambassador of Cyprus Ms Thalia Petrides. The audience was comprised of a wide array of distinguished guests coming from notable organizations, businesses and the press to name a few. The presentation covered important milestones in the country’s history as well as cultural, political and economical aspects.

PRESENTATION BY H. E. AMBASSADOR THALIA PETRIDES
AT THE EVENING HIGHLIGHTING CYPRUS,
HELSINKI, 26th NOVEMBER, 2008

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Let me start by expressing my warmest appreciation to Ambassador Friberg and the Friends of the Finnish Institute in Athens for their invitation. It is a great pleasure for me to address this distinguished audience today. As the writer Lawrence Durrell wrote in his autobiographical work Bitter Lemons, which delightfully depicts Cyprus in the mid ‘50s, “Journeys, like artists, are born and not made. A thousand differing circumstances contribute to them, few of them willed or determined – whatever we may think.” Numerous circumstances have contributed to the road that Cyprus has travelled to reach the point where it is today. As our time is limited this evening, I will not even attempt to address all of them. Instead, I wish to highlight some of the important milestones, which have contributed to the development of Cyprus and helped shape it into the country it is today.
2. Cyprus’ history has notably shaped the country’s culture with a distinctive flavour of its own. Although having successfully assimilated the assortment of influences it has received, Cyprus preserves its predominantly Hellenic character and heritage, deeply rooted in the island since the 2nd Millennium BC.
3. For centuries Cyprus was at one time or another part of the Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman empires. Since 1878 it was part of Britain. Being exposed to such an array of influences has left a unique mark on Cyprus.
4. In 1925 Cyprus was declared a Crown colony. Following World War II Britain began a policy of peaceful disengagement from many of its colonies. Unfortunately Cyprus was not one of these countries. Viewed as a vitally strategic island, Britain felt it would lose its bases and influences in the area, if Cyprus was to become a part of Greece. After numerous unsuccessful efforts to settle the problem peacefully, Cyprus was left no other option than to resort to an armed struggle in 1955. For four years the people of Cyprus fought against a superior enemy with unshaken bravery, self-sacrifice and heroism. Their efforts were finally rewarded in 1959 with the signing of the Zurich and London Agreements by which Cyprus was declared an Independent Republic. As a free country it became a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement.
5. However, the harmony of the island was interrupted in 1974 when in violation of international law and the UN Charter, Turkey invaded the Northern part of Cyprus, taking over 37% of the Republic’s territory and expelling almost two hundred thousand Greek Cypriots from their homes in the North. These people became refugees in their own country and they are still today deprived of their properties. Streets and neighbourhoods that used to thrive with commercial activities and transactions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots now are deserted and silent.
6. Since then the United Nations has taken numerous initiatives to engage the parties in meaningful negotiations. In parallel has kept a peacekeeping force on the island with the main objective to maintain the ceasefire along the dividing line.
7. Finland’s contribution to the manning of the UN forces in Cyprus has certainly not gone unnoticed. It is gratifying to note that close bonds of friendship and cooperation exist for so many years between our two countries.
8. Sadly, still today the green line divides the country, indiscriminately limiting the life and dreams of both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Despite the fact that a solution satisfying all parties has yet to be found, there is no doubt in my mind of the determination and willingness of the Cypriot people to work hard for the reunification of our country.
9. The most recent effort started a few months ago with a series of direct negotiations between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat. The talks on a whole have been encouraging and one can only hope that a comprehensive solution will be reached. UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon who has met on several occasions with both leaders commented recently that he was impressed by their strong political will to resolve the problem and expressed his belief that the ongoing dialogue and negotiations will be better than before. The decision by Christofias and Talat to open Ledra street in the divided capital of Nicosia on April 3rd of this year was not only an important step forward but a historic moment. After being closed for so many years, the opening will not only benefit those living and working in the surrounding neighbourhood but more important is its symbolic value of the revival of hope for the reunification of the island.
10. On May 1st, 2004, Cyprus took its place alongside the then 15 other member states of the European Union, marking an important milestone in the country’s history. In January 2008, Cyprus joined the Economic and Monetary Union of the EU and adopted the euro. Allow me to quote the European Commission President José-Manuel Barroso when he stated that, “Cyprus is today more than ever a proud and independent island. It has cemented its place at the heart of the EU, increased its economic potential and influence and made it easier for its businesses to trade and its people to travel”. Not only did EU membership open up a large market for Cypriot products and services but it also brings greater stability and security to the region. However, it is not only Cyprus which benefits from its membership. Cyprus’ geographically strategic location at the gateway to three continents provides other EU countries easier access to Middle-Eastern and Asian markets. This is a significant advantage with respect to trade and commercial activities.
11. Since its accession to the EU, Cyprus has undergone significant structural reforms that have transformed its economic landscape. Monopolies have been abolished, trade and interest rates have been liberalised, while price controls and investment restrictions have been lifted. These factors along with the country’s strategic location, favourable tax incentives, educated work force, outstanding telecommunications, excellent banking services, developed legal infrastructure and air links to all important destinations have not only made Cyprus an ideal base for companies’ international business operations, but has also played a prominent role in the success of the country’s shipping related activities.
12. Merchant shipping in Cyprus has experienced outstanding growth in the last 20 years and currently contributes significantly to the economic welfare of the country. In the beginning of the 1980s Cyprus was ranked 32nd on the list of leading maritime nations, now Cyprus ranks 10th in the world in terms of tonnage. As of 2006, 1 845 vessels were registered in the Cyprus Register of Ships. The country has the 3rd largest fleet in the EU and it is also considered as one of the global leading third-party ship management centres. These remarkable rankings and recognition have certainly distinguished Cyprus as an internationally renowned shipping centre.
13. Cyprus has really been able to improve its economic performance. What used to be an underdeveloped economy, inherited from Colonial Rule in 1960, has been transformed into a modern economy, with dynamic services, industrial and agricultural sectors and advanced social infrastructure. Throughout its post-independent period the country has a record of successful economic performance and full employment conditions. Since the year 2000, the country’s economy has grown an average of 3,6% per year, which is well above the European Union average, while the average inflation rate stood at 2,9%. The per capita GDP, currently estimated at €20,505 (2007), classifies Cyprus among the high-income countries. In addition, Cyprus is ranked 28th in the United Nations 2007/2008 Index of Human Development. These economic achievements are significant, when bearing in mind the severe economic and social dislocation caused by the Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation of the northern part of the Island by Turkey.
14. Agriculture has always played a significant role in the Cypriot economy. In the past agriculture employed more than 45% of the labour force, although its contribution to the national income has never surpassed 18%. However, Cyprus has slowly transformed itself from an exporter of agricultural products and minerals to a major tourist destination and services centre. The foundations of tourism in Cyprus were already laid down back in the early 1960s. Unfortunately the tourist sector as well as the overall economic activity of the Island came to a standstill in 1974 due to the Turkish invasion. In order to revive the country’s economy, a semi-governmental organisation, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, was founded with the purpose to plan, promote and market tourism, as well as to regulate and supervise all tourist enterprises in Cyprus. It did not take long for Cyprus to revive its tourist sector and nowadays its contribution to the country’s economy is of vital importance. One particularly interesting fact is that the majority of tourists that come to Cyprus are actually repeat visitors (one of the best compliments a tourist can give a holiday destination). In 2007, over 2,4 million tourists visited Cyprus, mainly from Western, Central and Northern Europe. Cyprus has also been able to win the hearts and minds of the Finns too, with thousands of Finnish citizens visiting the island each year, some of them even making our country their second home.
15. While rejoicing for the remarkable growth in the tourism sector, one must bear in mind that the natural resources of the island are limited. In order to limit the over-development of the island, stricter regulations on construction along with a building suspension on coastal development were put into force in the late 1980s. Another effort to utilize the remarkable natural beauties of the Island wisely began in the early 1990s. An alternative form of tourism, agrotourism, was developed with the restoration and enhancement of Cypriot houses in rural areas for tourist use. This opened up an entirely new market for Cyprus targeting those who wish to experience a quieter, nature friendly holiday away from the crowded hotels. With their natural environment, local character and traditional architecture, Cyprus’ villages offer tourists a unique experience focusing on the traditions, culture, history and rural lifestyle.
16. At the same time, the government invests substantially to support, develop and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Cypriot people. Vast effort and resources is put into the maintenance, conservation and protection of the country’s internationally admired monuments and antiquities.
17. In addition to the country’s unique culture and architecture, the natural environment of the island is one of a kind. This is evident with the island’s long sandy beaches, coves in the south, the breathtaking Troodos mountain range, which stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus and the natural beauty of the Akamas peninsula to name a few. 17% of the island is woodland, with the natural vegetation including forests of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs and flowers. Cyprus has been blessed with a remarkable botanical heritage, with over 1,800 species of flowering plants on the island and out of this, 8% are found nowhere else in the world. The country also has a long history with fauna. It is believed that before man arrived to the island, the first inhabitants were actually elephants and hippopotami. Nowadays, of course, the island has many more species, including an expressive 365 different kinds of birds, and a great variety of invertebrates and fishes. The moufflon, which is the largest animal on the island is the symbol of the Republic of Cyprus and used on our coins. The species has long been in danger of extinction, but thankfully today is fully protected.
18. Continuing on the topic of Cypriot culture, one cannot disregard Cyprus’ wine industry. Praised as the world’s oldest winemakers, Cyprus has been a vine-growing and wine-producing country for millennia. Internationally Cyprus is best known for its dessert wine, Commandaria, which is also the oldest named wine in the world. Commandaria has been enjoyed and praised throughout history. Apparently even Richard the Lionheart commented in the 12th century on his departure from Cyprus that, “I must return to Cyprus, if only to taste this wine again.”
19. Currently Cyprus produces more wine per person than any other country in the world. However, ironically the country also has one of the lowest per capita wine consumption rates in Europe. For this reason Cyprus’ wine industry is largely dependent on foreign markets. Let me conclude my presentation with a quote by Goethe, “Wine rejoices the heart of man and joy is the mother of all virtues.”