– new Cyprus High Commissioner accredited
NEW High Commissioner of Cyprus to Guyana, H.E. Martha Mavrommatis, presented her letters of credence to President Bharrat Jagdeo Monday, pledging to honour some of the agreements reached between the two countries in the past.
Among these are the offering of scholarships in the area of tourism and forestry to Guyanese as agreed to by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cyprus leader Demetris Christofias during a state visit by the Guyanese Head of State in March 2009.
She told members of the press that she would have convened a meeting with Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana yesterday to discuss enhancing relations between the universities of the two countries.
With Cyprus being a member of the European Union (EU) and Guyana sharing good relations with the EU, High Commissioner Mavrommatis said the EU can also influence the execution of the scholarship progammes.
She disclosed that there are already two students pursuing studies in Cyprus in Tourism and Forestry
The New High Commissioner also sees commonalities in the area of the environment, acknowledging the advocacy role of President Jagdeo and trade.
She used the occasion to laud Guyana for its role in the international arena and its stand on the Cyprus issue.
The territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus was highlighted during the visit of President Jagdeo, and he reaffirmed Guyana’s position of respect in this regard, noting that Guyana has always taken a strong position on the Cyprus territorial issue at the level of the United Nations and the Commonwealth
“I know that the case of sovereignty is also very important to the Guianas, and we are also working very closely on all those fields,” High Commissioner Mavrommatis said.
During President Jagdeo visit to Cyprus and his meeting with President Christofias, agreements were made to take steps to promote and further develop relations between the two countries.
The two leaders agreed that collaboration among small countries should be facilitated to protect their interests, particularly in the present troubling global environment.
Both leaders also agreed to an appointment of ambassadors to both countries and the granting of scholarships to Guyanese students in the areas of Forestry and Tourism. The Foreign Affairs Ministers of the two countries will develop contact for addressing issues of mutual interest.
Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean, with Greece, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Turkey and Egypt as its neighbours.
Cyprus is considered the third largest Mediterranean island with a wealth of tourism possibilities. It became independent of British rule in 1960 and became a member of the Commonwealth the following year. In May 2004 Cyprus became a member of the European Union.