2023年11月30日，慶祝塞浦路斯共和國獨立六十三周年招待會在北京舉行。塞路浦斯駐華大使瑪莎·瑪夫羅瑪蒂閣下作為東道主歡迎八方來賓。來自聯合國北京代表處，歐洲聯盟，拉美、非洲等各國駐華大使紛紛前來祝賀。外交部鄧勵副部長作為中方主賓到場祝賀！塞路浦斯駐華大使瑪莎·瑪夫羅瑪蒂閣下致辭指出：請允許我強調一點，我個人認為，人民之間的交流是加強雙邊伙伴關系的重要力量。
塞路浦斯駐華大使瑪莎·瑪夫羅瑪蒂閣下致辭全文如下說：
尊敬的鄧勵副部長閣下：
各位閣下、女士們、先生們、親愛的朋友們：
感謝各位出席今天的招待會！
今天是塞浦路斯共和國宣布獨立和成立六十三周年的紀念日。對所有塞浦路斯人來說，這個重要而喜慶的日子具有超越時代的意義。回顧過往，我們為塞浦路斯這個小島國多年來為應對動蕩地區的逆境和挑戰所做的不懈努力和不屈不撓的精神深感自豪。我們也為取得的成就和發展、民主的質量以及作為歐盟大家庭的一員而感到自豪。
親愛的朋友們，
塞浦路斯共和國與中華人民共和國于一九七一年十二月十四日建立外交關系，今年也是建交第五十二周年。盡管地理上相距遙遠，但塞浦路斯和中國有著深厚的友誼，并已在多個領域建立了合作。我們的雙邊合作建立在相互信任、尊重和理解的基礎之上。
在這一堅實基礎上，近年來兩國交往不斷擴大。兩國高層互訪頻繁，務實合作全面發展，經貿關系不斷推進，造福兩國人民。在承認雙邊合作在政治、社會和經濟領域取得積極進展的同時，我們還同意在多邊主義和國際法的基礎上，共同致力于加強在聯合國和其他國際組織中的合作。與此同時，塞浦路斯將繼續支持“一個中國”原則。
請允許我強調一點，我個人認為，人民之間的交流是加強雙邊伙伴關系的重要力量。塞浦路斯和中國這兩個同樣擁有悠久歷史和古老文明的國家，決心在教育、研究、創新、旅游、衛生、體育和青年等廣泛領域進一步加強有意義的合作。
我希望借此機會對中國在塞浦路斯問題上給予我們的長期支持以及對塞浦路斯共和國主權、領土完整和獨立的堅定承諾表示感謝。我還要感謝中國對我們根據聯合國安理會決議恢復談判以達成全面解決方案的努力給予的堅定不移地支持。
親愛的朋友們，
聯合國成立七十多年來，我們的世界正面臨著日益嚴峻的挑戰。烏克蘭戰爭震撼了世界，它提醒我們“永不重演”是一種號召，是一種脆弱的神圣承諾，需要我們下定決心去保護它。塞浦路斯強烈譴責任何國家通過軍事行動破壞國際和平與安全、侵犯另一個國家的獨立、主權和領土完整的行為。在這起違反國際法的事件中，在每一起此類事件中，我們都站在歷史的正確一邊，站在烏克蘭一邊。對我個人而言，我是戰爭的孩子，“永不重演”有著另外的價值和意義，因為我目睹了我的同胞們哀悼、堅持、重建，永遠懷著對塞浦路斯和平與統一的熱切渴望，這是土耳其入侵、占領和分裂塞浦路斯四十九年來我們一直遭受的后果。
塞浦路斯位于歐洲和中東的十字路口，處于世界上沖突和不穩定時常發生的地區，以色列-巴勒斯坦的最新事態發展也證明了這一點。然而我們堅信，東地中海、廣大中東地區和歐洲可以成為穩定、和平與合作的中心，成為 21 世紀變革的典范。為了實現使歐洲和整個地區成為和平與繁榮之地的愿景，塞浦路斯尋求充當這一共同愿景的促進者，并與其歐盟伙伴和近鄰攜手合作，建立一個堅實的合作網絡。
最后，我要感謝我的同事們為今天的活動取得成功所付出的辛勤勞動。
祝大家身體健康，幸福美滿。新年將至，希望 2024 年能給世界帶來和平，給我深愛的國家塞浦路斯帶來自由和統一。
謝謝大家！
Your Excellency Vice Minister Deng Li,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Thank you all for joining us.
I address myself to you today on the occasion of the completion of 63 years since the declaration of independence and the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. This is certainly a momentous and auspicious anniversary for all Cypriots, and one that carries an important meaning and significance that transcends time. We celebrate this day with pride as we reflect on the constant efforts and perseverance of a small island-country to meet the adversities and challenges in its turbulent region throughout the years. We remain proud for our achievements and our development, the quality of our democracy, as well as for being part of the European Union family.
Dear Friends,
This year also marks the 52th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Peoples Republic of China, on December 14th 1971. Despite the geographical distance, the Republic of Cyprus and the People’s Republic of China have forged a profound friendship and collaboration in a multitude of areas, that has stood the test of time. Our bilateral cooperation is based on mutual trust, respect and understanding.
Firmly anchored on this very solid base, over recent years our relations have expanded. We have maintained frequent exchanges of high-level visits, have developed practical cooperation across the board, and have advanced trade and economic ties to the benefit of our peoples. Acknowledging the positive progress of bilateral cooperation in the political, social and economic areas, we have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations always based on our shared commitment to multilateralism and international law.
Dear Friends
Allow me to underline what I personally believe constitutes a significant force for the enhancement of our bilateral partnership, and that is people-to-people exchange. Cyprus and China, two countries with rich histories and ancient civilizations, are determined to further enhance the meaningful cooperation in an extensive array of fields including education, research, innovation, tourism, health, sports and youth.
I would therefore like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for China’s long-standing support on the Cyprus question, and its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of the Republic of Cyprus. I also wish to extend our gratitude for China’s steadfast support to our efforts to resume negotiations to reach a comprehensive settlement in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. In parallel, Cyprus remains committed to the One China policy
Dear Friends,
More than seven decades following the establishment of the United Nations, our world is facing growing challenges. The war in Ukraine has shaken the world and it reminded us that “Never again” is a rallying cry, a sacred promise that is fragile, and one that we need to protect with all our resolve. Cyprus condemns in the strongest terms any breach of international peace and security effected through military action by any state, against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of another state. We stand on this instance of violation of international law, and on every such instance, on the right side of history, by the side of Ukraine. For me personally, as I am a child of war “Never Again” has also an additional value and meaning, as I have witnessed my compatriots mourn, persevere, rebuild, forever with a burning desire for peace and reunification of Cyprus which faces for 49 years the consequences of the turkish invasion, occupation, division.
Cyprus is at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, in a part of the world that is no stranger to conflict and instability, as also the latest developments in Israel- Palestine prove. We are, however, convinced that the Eastern Mediterranean, the wider Middle East and Europe can become a hub of stability, peace, and cooperation, an exemplar of the change capable in the 21st century. Cyprus seeks to act as a facilitator for this common vision and has come together with its EU partners and its immediate neighbours, building a solid network of cooperation that is underpinned by a vision to make Europe and the whole region a place of peace and prosperity.
I would also like to thank my colleagues at the Cyprus embassy for their tireless efforts and work for the success of the today’s event.
I wish you all good health well-being and prosperity. And as we are approaching the end of the year, let’s hope that 2024 will bring peace to the world and freedom and reunification to my beloved country Cyprus.
Thank you! xie xie!
