Brief statement by King Willem-Alexander with President Nikos Christodoulides during the state visit to Cyprus, Nicosia
Mr President,
What a pleasure it is to be paying a state visit to your country.
I remember well our first meeting at Huis ten Bosch Palace, just over a year ago. Back then we discussed the unique position of Cyprus as the most south-easterly point in the European Union.
Your country is a cultural crossroads and a bridge to the Middle East and North Africa. A beacon that represents Europe in the eastern Mediterranean.
Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Egypt are your neighbours. You understand the issues at play. You’re aware of the many complex challenges, including the need to keep migration flows under control.
You’re doing your utmost to contribute to stability, security and mutual understanding in the region.
Those efforts are immensely valuable, both to the Netherlands and the whole of Europe.
Peace and security are fragile. That’s why we cherish our friendship with you and work together to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and good governance.
During our visit we will also be reflecting on your country’s turbulent history and its tragic division in 1974. So many families still bear the scars to this day, and the emotions run deep.
Our hearts go out to everyone who is still living with the effects today.
Dialogue is essential for the future of everyone in Cyprus. The Netherlands supports the UN process aimed at achieving lasting solutions.
It’s a hopeful sign to see that members of the different communities are themselves taking steps to get to know and understand one another better.
The Home for Cooperation, located in the buffer zone, is a place where young Cypriots from both sides of the Green Line can discover how much they have in common.
We look forward to visiting the centre tomorrow, and to all the other items on the programme for our visit.
Thank you for your hospitality!