Lamb, trade, pensions on agenda for New Zealand’s ambassador to Cyprus

The popularity of New Zealand lamb in Cyprus, the signing of a pensions agreement that would help Cypriots in New Zealand return home after retirement and increased trade were discussed between the new High Commissioner of the Commonwealth state and President Tassos Papadopoulos on Monday.

The president received at a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace the credentials of the new High Commissioner of New Zealand, based in Rome, Douglas Frederick Lawrence Markes.

They discussed Commonwealth issues, international and regional politics, while High Commissioner Markes added that “securing a positive outcome from the WTO Doha Round is also clearly something that would benefit both countries and as a trading nation we attach great importance to this. The International Whaling Commission, which Cyprus has recently joined, is another body where we look forward to working very closely together in the interests of conservation.”

“Trade is small but nonetheless valuable to both parties. Cypriot people remain devoted consumers of New Zealand lamb as part of their traditional cuisine. One important aspect of my mission will be to try and build up further trade and economic linkages between us,” Markes added.

“It is good for us to have a friend like Cyprus in the councils of the European Union where so many issues of importance to us are discussed and decided,” he said. “As a current example we are keen to conclude a liberal and comprehensive Air Services Agreement with the whole of the EU, that would help boost two way aviation connections between New Zealand and Europe, and would look to Cyprus to help us achieve this objective.”

“The European Union is New Zealand‘s second largest trading partner after our closest neighbour, Australia. It is also our second largest source of overseas visitors, again after Australia, with more than half a million EU nationals visiting us every year.”

The ambassador said that New Zealand also works closely with the EU on other issues such as climate change, human rights, science and technology, education and, of course, peacekeeping – notably in Afghanistan where New Zealand forms part of the EU led policing mission, and in Cyprus where in past years many New Zealanders, and particularly policemen, have been involved in efforts aimed to bring an acceptable solution to this difficult and protracted issue.

Markes explained that there is a small but active Cypriot community in New Zealand that contributes significantly not only to New Zealand‘s diversity but also to the strength of this relationship.

“Many New Zealand tourists, fascinated by your rich cultural past and traditions, regularly include Cyprus in their holiday itineraries. We have also proposed the conclusion of a Working Holiday Scheme to promote and facilitate two way visits by our respective young people as a good initiative to enhance greater levels of people to people contact and I will be following up on this.  We are also in the process of negotiating a reciprocal social security agreement that would make it easier for New Zealanders of Cypriot origin to retire back to Cyprus should they decide to do so.”

In his acceptance of the High Commissioner’s credentials, President Papadopoulos said that “our people-to people contacts remain a significant component in our bilateral relations. A tangible proof of this is the considerable number of Cypriots who live and work in New Zealand, thus contributing to the economic interaction between our two countries. I earnestly hope that Cyprus and New Zealand will soon conclude a social insurance agreement for the benefit of the people in both countries. Moreover, New Zealand has become a major first class tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world, and we look forward to establishing a mutually beneficial cooperation in the tourist sector.”