Cyprus has inaugurated its Embassy in Astana in the presence of President Nikos Christodoulides who is paying Kazakhstan an official visit.
Speaking at the event on the evening of Wednesday, 3 June, Foreign Affairs Minister Constantinos Kombos and his Kazakh counterpart Yermek Kosherbayev spoke of a "milestone" in the two countries' relations.
Yermek Kosherbayev described the inauguration of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus as a historical milestone in Kazakhstan-Cyprus relations, a sign of friendship, mutual trust and the common understanding to bring the two peoples closer. Through dialogue, mutual respect and consistent cooperation, they have developed a partnership, he added, speaking of cooperation between Central Asia and Europe.
The Kazakh Foreign Minister said that they see an interest in cooperation in the fields of digitalisation, tourism, culture and described the launch of a direct flight between Kazakhstan and Cyprus as a “new chapter in our relations”. “Direct flights reduce distances, but true friendship reduces them even more”, he added.
On his part, Constantinos Kombos described the official inauguration of the Embassy as a milestone for bilateral relations and a clear political signal, noting that the opening of diplomatic missions is about where we want to move towards.
He stressed that for the Republic of Cyprus, Kazakhstan is a key partner in a region of great significance,a trade and investment collaborator, a political powerhouse with an influence that is bound to grow even further. “Together we coordinated our steps, synchronised our will and proceeded with the reciprocal simultaneous opening of diplomatic missions”.
The Presidents of the two countries gave the political direction and “all of us are now working to transition from the pathway to an avenue. An avenue of progress, for our peoples, for our countries.”
The opening of this Embassy is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a more ambitious, dynamic, and forward-looking phase in Cyprus–Kazakhstan relations, he added.
We took the first steps, we need to pick up the pace, let us cease the opportunity, Kombos concluded.
The opening of the Embassy symbolises not only the establishment of a diplomatic mission, but a deeper commitment to strengthening friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries, said the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Kazakhstan, Petros Nacuzis.
It reflects our common vision for a future enriched with strategic partnerships in political, economic, cultural and social dimensions. Nacuzis noted the symbolism of the launch of direct flights connecting Cyprus with Astana and Almaty by Cyprus’ President on the occasion of the first visit of a Cypriot President to Kazakhstan. They will be operating 4 times a week during the summer season and represent a vital link between the two countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan said that he will suggest the opening a cafe in that area where people can taste the “famous traditional goat cheese” of Cyprus, meaning Halloumi. The event concluded with a traditional Cypriot dance by a group of young Kazakhs.
The Embassy is situated in a district with many diplomatic missions.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Christodoulides visited Alem A.I. Centre in Astana where he was given a tour and was briefed about its actions and about matters of cybersecurity.
(Source: CNA)
