PRESIDENT DEMETRIS Christofias yesterday hailed as a “success” the start of his five-day official tour of Australia, home to the second largest Cypriot community outside Cyprus.
Speaking during a state dinner given in his honour by Australia’s Governor General Quentin Bryce, Christofias said he considers his visit to Australia “extremely important, being the first official visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus since 1995”.
It is “a visit that highlights the deep-rooted relations between our two countries and peoples”, he added.
Cyprus highly appreciated “the fact that Australia stood at our side during the difficult times of our history”, he said, noting that Australians “provided shelter and compassion and have been hospitable to our compatriots who sought a better life, peace and harmony in this country, either as early immigrants or as refugees following the Turkish invasion in 1974”.
He also conveyed “the solidarity of the people of Cyprus to the people of Australia, who suffered the consequences of the floods in the States of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, the Yasi cyclone and the fires in Western Australia”.
Cypriot-born migrants and their families number over 80,000 in Australia.
“Both our countries feel legitimately proud because the Cypriot community is a vivid and important part of the Australian society and contributes to the social and cultural richness and the economic development of their second homeland,” said Christofias.
A joint statement issued after a meeting in Canberra with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard acknowledged that the “bedrock of relations” between the two countries was their shared values and close people-to-people links.
Gillard also acknowledged “the important contribution the vibrant Cypriot community has made to the diversity of Australian life”.
According to the statement, Australia recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the only legitimate authority on the island and commends Christofias’ efforts in reaching a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.
Gillard also reaffirmed Australian support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic.
Christofias recorded his appreciation for Australia’s long standing and active interest in efforts to facilitate a peaceful settlement to the Cyprus issue and for its involvement in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
Australian Federal Police officers have operated in Cyprus as part of this force continuously since 1964, while this year marks the arrival of the 100th Australian Police contingent at UNFICYP.
Meanwhile, Australia has maintained a Special Representative for Cyprus since 1998 who follows developments in Cyprus closely and works to encourage support within the Australian Cypriot community for a settlement to the problem.
The joint statement noted the Australian government’s support for community-focused initiatives such as the Cyprus Academic Dialogue.
The two leaders also acknowledged the strong cultural and educational links between Australia and Cyprus, particularly in the area of antiquities and archaeology, where Australian archaeologists have been working on the island since the 1930s.
Christofias and Gillard discussed the challenges that both countries face from fires, irregular migration and people smuggling. A visit by the Cyprus Fire Department to Australia is expected later this year.
The two also discussed Cyprus’ upcoming turn at the helm of the EU Presidency next year, as well as UN and Commonwealth reform.
Later at a reception held by the Cypriot High Commissioner, Christofias said the visit had already been crowned with success, noting the importance of Australia’s recognition that the Republic is the only legitimate authority on the island. .
The president visited the Australian War Memorial where he laid a wreath, the National Museum, National Botanic Gardens in Canberra and took part in a tree planting ceremony.
He also met with President of the Australian Senate John Hogg and Speaker of the House of Representatives Harry Jenkins.
He is accompanied by First Lady Elsi, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou and government officials.
Today, Christofias will meet the Australia – Cyprus Parliamentary Group before travelling to Adelaide for a meeting with Mike Rann, South Australia’s Premier. He will also attend a lunch with Governor of South Australia Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce.
During his stay in Adelaide, Christofias will meet the Cypriot community of South Australia and lay the foundation of the community’s new cultural centre.
He will return to Melbourne for meetings with Ted Baillieu, Premier of Victoria and Minister for the Arts as well as Alex Chernov, Victoria’s Governor, and members of the Cypriot community in Melbourne.
Christofias will wrap up his official visit by traveling to Sydney for meetings with New South Wales Governor Marie Bashir and his Eminence Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia, as well as members of the Cypriot community.
