The accession of Cyprus and Romania to the European Union provides more fields for the bilateral co-operation between Cyprus and Romania, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said in Bucharest Tuesday.
Addressing the state dinner hosted in his honour by the President of Romania, Traian Basescu, Papadopoulos expressed Cyprus’ gratitude for Romania’s support in our efforts to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, ”a solution which will enable the true re-unification of our island, its people, its society, its institutions as well as its economy.”
”We remain committed to this goal and we are tirelessly working towards achieving a solution,” the President stressed.
Papadopoulos described his visit to Bucharest at this particular time as ”an indication of the importance the Cyprus government attributes to its relations with Romania.”
”It is an extremely important period, just after the successful conclusion of your efforts and the achievement of the historic goal of Romania’s accession to the European Union,” Papadopoulos added, noting that he looks forward ”to the fruitful utilisation of all opportunities and possibilities for the further enhancement of our bilateral relations within the new framework of our coexistence in the European Union.”
According to the Cypriot President, from the outset Cyprus has strongly supported Romania’s accession course to the European Union.
”A proof of this is the unanimous ratification of the Accession Treaty of Romania by the Cyprus House of Representatives in October 2005, as well as the decision of the Cyprus Republic not to impose restrictions for Romanian citizens in the labour market after January 1 2007,” he added.
”We believe,” Papadopoulos noted, ”in the dynamics of enlargement, as long as this is done with respect to the principles and regulations of the European Union and without discriminations. Romania has been successful and today is entitled to be proud of her achievement.”
Furthermore, Papadopoulos said that despite the admittedly exceptional level of our bilateral relations, he remains convinced that there is room for their further enhancement.
”The accession of both Cyprus and Romania to the EU opens up new prospects, providing more fields for co-operation. I therefore expect that our countries will make clever use of these opportunities in the best way possible,” he concluded.
