Cyprus committed to enhance and expand its relations with Oman

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, has expressed the government’s wish to make committed efforts with a view to further enhance and expand ties between Cyprus and Oman both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

In an interview to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), ahead of his official visit to Oman on February 6-7, Christodoulides expressed certainty that this visit constitutes a significant step towards further strengthening, in a tangible manner, the relations between the two countries, in an array of fields including trade and education.

Moreover, the Foreign Minister stressed that “the foundation for enhancing and deepening existing cooperation, especially in areas such as trade, investment, education, tourism is very strong and the prospects are indeed very positive. I am optimistic that my visit will contribute significantly towards this direction,” he noted.

Asked about the objectives of his visit to Oman, the Foreign Minister said that this is a long-anticipated visit, his first to the Sultanate since assuming office in March 2018, and one that he very much looks forward to.

The Minister pointed out that Cyprus and Oman traditionally enjoy excellent relations. “It is my Government’s wish to exert committed efforts to further enhance and expand the ties between Cyprus and Oman, at the bilateral and multilateral level,” he stressed, expressing certainty that this official visit constitutes a significant stepping stone in further strengthening, in a tangible manner, the relations between the two countries, in an array of fields including trade and education.

He noted that during the visit regional developments will also be discussed, particularly through the prism of how Cyprus and Oman, two countries that actively promote regional stability, could work together to more effectively advance stability and security in the broader region of the Middle East and the Gulf.

Christodoulides noted that his visit to Oman is part of a tour of visits to all the countries in the region, adding that “this is in line with our committed efforts to enhance and deepen relations with countries in the Middle East and Gulf, a core pillar of our foreign policy.”

Asked about the relations between Oman and Cyprus, he said that the two countries enjoy a strong and enduring friendship based on shared values, including respect for International Law, respect for diversity and dialogue and promotion of peaceful coexistence in our region and beyond.

“Cyprus and Oman are like-minded countries in many ways, and a manifestation of this is the presence and actions of Cyprus and Oman in the region that aim primarily at contributing to the efforts to strengthen stability and security,” he said.

He noted that Oman’s reputation is founded on strong adherence to international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of any country and its prominent peace-building role, as a moderate force of stability in the region.

Moreover, he expressed the great appreciation of Cyprus for Oman’s steadfast support «in our efforts to reach a viable and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, in accordance with international law, on the basis of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”

A solution, he added, that will end the ongoing Turkish occupation, reunite the island and its people, and safeguard the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of reunited Cyprus. Undoubtedly the reaching of such a comprehensive settlement would send a much needed, strong and positive message of peaceful coexistence in the region, the Minister said.

Asked about the role of Oman in facilitating solutions to the problems in the region as well as its role internationally, the Foreign Minister said that “Cyprus greatly appreciates the efforts and initiatives taken by the Sultanate`s Government, under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, in facilitating solutions to crises in the region.”

“His Majesty’s personal engagement is acknowledged and respected internationally and the positive contribution of Oman in facilitating solutions to the problems of this critical region is without doubt very important,” he underlined.

Invited to refer to Cyprus’ role in enhancing understanding and cooperation between the Middle East and the European Union, Christodoulides said that “recognising the rising importance of our immediate neighbourhood, and based our long-standing close relations with all our neighbours, we have in recent years re-oriented our foreign policy.”

He added that “on the basis of one of the core pillars of this re-orientated foreign policy, we have been actively and methodically enhancing and expanding our ties with the countries of the Middle East and the Gulf region.”

As part of this process, Cyprus, as the EU’s south-eastern member state and the closest one to the Middle East, has embarked in recent years on implementing its vision of being a positive force of stability, Christodoulides noted.

He said that in this context, Cyprus together with Greece, have built over the last few years a network of trilateral cooperation mechanisms with countries in the region, on a basis of a positive agenda.

Christodoulides explained that these cooperation mechanisms are neither exclusionary nor exclusive and aim at promoting stability and prosperity through cooperation and synergies in a broad array of areas, such as security, climate change, technology, energy and many others.

“These individual trilateral fora, which were triggered by the energy potential of the region but have extended to a number of other sectors, undoubtedly constitute a prime example of good neighbourly relations, which is also a basic tenet of Oman’s own relations with its neighbors as well,” he noted.

He said that the recent decision to create a Permanent Secretariat in Nicosia for the Trilateral fora will not only solidify the progress achieved but will also create additional momentum going ahead. It could also be a step along the path of implementing a long-term vision we have for the region, which is the formation of a regional organization for cooperation and security, Christodoulides noted.

Moreover, he said, Cyprus is seen as a credible, trustworthy, reliable channel of communication between the EU and countries in the region, and this is being increasingly recognized. It was within this context for example that Cyprus insisted in Brussels on the importance and the need to organize an EU-Arab League Summit, the Minister said.

He recalled that upon assuming his new responsibilities at the Foreign Ministry in March 2018, some of the very first visits he made were to neighbouring countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

“High on the agenda of all my discussions during these visits – including my official visit to Oman - is how to foster understanding and collaboration, how to construct a positive, results oriented agenda between the EU and the region, how to get the EU more actively involved in the challenges but also the opportunities the region presents,” he said.

"We will continue to make the case for the region in Brussels and for the need for closer relations and greater involvement of the EU in the wider region," Christodoulides underlined.