Clélia Chevrier Kolačko appointed new Ambassador of France to Cyprus

Clélia Chevrier Kolačko has been appointed as the new Ambassador of France to Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides received the ambassador’s credentials – and her predecessor Salina Grenet-Catalano’s Letters of Recall – during a special ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.

“As the new Ambassador of France that is a most valuable friend and closest partner within the European Union and beyond, especially in times of uncertainty, may I assure you that my Government will provide you with every assistance in the performance of your high duties,” the President said in his speech. “May I add that my Government’s priority is to work for the further enhancement of our bilateral relations in all spheres of cooperation, so that our traditional ties of friendship may flourish even further.”

Cyprus and France’s bilateral relations have been fast-evolving in recent years, especially since the conclusion of a Strategic Agenda in 2016. “Telling examples of this close and multifaceted cooperation include the participation of TOTAL in the exploration of hydrocarbon deposits in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, the expansion of the French-Cypriot School in Limassol, and our upcoming full membership in the International Organisation of ‘La Francophonie’,” said Christodoulides.

The president also said, among other: “Our constructive and fruitful cooperation is also reflected in the fact that I have already visited Paris on three different official occasions in the 18 months since assuming office, and I hope to be able to reciprocate President Macron’s warm hospitality during the upcoming Med9 Summit in my home district of Paphos next month.”

On her part, Ambassador Chevrier Kolačko stated: “I have the honour to present to Your Excellency the credentials by which His Excellency the President of the French Republic, Mr Emmanuel Macron, accredits me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the Letters of Recall of my predecessor. It is an honour and a privilege for me to represent France in Cyprus. Our two countries have long enjoyed close and dynamic relations, based on mutual trust and looking to the future. Throughout my term of office, I will strive to deepen and diversify these relations.”

Among other things, she also relayed the “thanks of the French authorities for your mobilisation to enable the evacuation of several hundred French nationals from Israel during the terrorist attack last October, and for your dedicated support in planning potential evacuations in the Eastern Mediterranean”.

For the president and ambassador’s full speeches click here and here

(Source & photos: PIO)