Toast by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, at the dinner hosted in honour of the high-level guests of the opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU

I am exceptionally honoured to host you at this moment of great pride for my country and its people. This is an evening centred around one of the greatest forces of unity and togetherness: Culture.

And so tonight, we come together at the Anastasios Leventis Gallery – a space dedicated to art, culture, memory and dialogue amongst great European artists – from Cyprus, from Europe, all under the same roof. A tribute to our shared heritage.

Among its treasures are the ones surrounding us in this very room, showcasing masterpieces of some of the greatest European artists from the Impressionism Movement - Monet, Renoir, Sisley and Pissarro. 

This is also a space that reflects Cyprus’s identity as a warm, hospitable, embracing meeting point of diverse and rich civilizations. From the village life on the Cypriot plain and lowlands of Photos Hadjisoteriou, to the pictorial language of the self-taught Michalis Kashialos that captures the Cypriot essence, and to the sombre work of Adamantios Diamantis, carrying the pain of the Turkish invasion of 1974. Cypriot Art speaks in powerful silence of our collective pain but also unparalleled resilience of Cypriots. 

Dear Friends,

Cyprus at the helm of the Council of the European Union (EU) will draw on these qualities and project them to the benefit of our European family. The ability to demonstrate resilience in adversity. To work with perseverance, persistence to bring tangible results. And of course, with immense pride for our Union. All, while holding proudly to our role as the Union’s lighthouse in the Eastern Mediterranean and the greater Middle East. A member state with longstanding partnerships with our Middle East and Gulf partners anchored, always, on mutual respect and trust. A country that believes in the immense potential and opportunity this region presents. Outward-looking, with an unwavering belief that there are no limits to what we can achieve through cooperation, dialogue, partnership. Strength through partnership. And I am very pleased that tonight Europe comes together with the region. Dear Ursula, Dear Antonio, you work with resolve for our Union, and you have a clear understanding of the importance of our partnerships, including with this region.

Dear friends,

Tonight, we officially celebrate the beginning of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. 

Our Presidency will be guided by a clear vision: A more Autonomous Union, Open to the World. That means working for an independent Union, one that is extrovert, stable, Reliable, predictable. That safeguards its values and brings them together with its interests. A Union, strong from within, secure, resilient, competitive, that protects its citizens and acts with confidence on the global stage, constructing strong, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Once again, let me thank you for your presence here today and invite you to raise your glasses:

• To our citizens;
• To the shared values that unite us across Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond;
• To the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Thank you very much. 

Photos

See photos from the dinner on the Cyprus Presidency's Flickr account.