2023年11月30日，庆祝塞浦路斯共和国独立六十三周年招待会在北京举行。塞路浦斯驻华大使玛莎·玛夫罗玛蒂阁下作为东道主欢迎八方来宾。来自联合国北京代表处，欧洲联盟，拉美、非洲等各国驻华大使纷纷前来祝贺。外交部邓励副部长作为中方主宾到场祝贺！塞路浦斯驻华大使玛莎·玛夫罗玛蒂阁下致辞指出：请允许我强调一点，我个人认为，人民之间的交流是加强双边伙伴关系的重要力量。

    塞路浦斯驻华大使玛莎·玛夫罗玛蒂阁下致辞全文如下说：

尊敬的邓励副部长阁下：

各位阁下、女士们、先生们、亲爱的朋友们：

   感谢各位出席今天的招待会！

今天是塞浦路斯共和国宣布独立和成立六十三周年的纪念日。对所有塞浦路斯人来说，这个重要而喜庆的日子具有超越时代的意义。回顾过往，我们为塞浦路斯这个小岛国多年来为应对动荡地区的逆境和挑战所做的不懈努力和不屈不挠的精神深感自豪。我们也为取得的成就和发展、民主的质量以及作为欧盟大家庭的一员而感到自豪。

亲爱的朋友们，

   塞浦路斯共和国与中华人民共和国于一九七一年十二月十四日建立外交关系，今年也是建交第五十二周年。尽管地理上相距遥远，但塞浦路斯和中国有着深厚的友谊，并已在多个领域建立了合作。我们的双边合作建立在相互信任、尊重和理解的基础之上。

   在这一坚实基础上，近年来两国交往不断扩大。两国高层互访频繁，务实合作全面发展，经贸关系不断推进，造福两国人民。在承认双边合作在政治、社会和经济领域取得积极进展的同时，我们还同意在多边主义和国际法的基础上，共同致力于加强在联合国和其他国际组织中的合作。与此同时，塞浦路斯将继续支持“一个中国”原则。

   请允许我强调一点，我个人认为，人民之间的交流是加强双边伙伴关系的重要力量。塞浦路斯和中国这两个同样拥有悠久历史和古老文明的国家，决心在教育、研究、创新、旅游、卫生、体育和青年等广泛领域进一步加强有意义的合作。

   我希望借此机会对中国在塞浦路斯问题上给予我们的长期支持以及对塞浦路斯共和国主权、领土完整和独立的坚定承诺表示感谢。我还要感谢中国对我们根据联合国安理会决议恢复谈判以达成全面解决方案的努力给予的坚定不移地支持。

亲爱的朋友们，

联合国成立七十多年来，我们的世界正面临着日益严峻的挑战。乌克兰战争震撼了世界，它提醒我们“永不重演”是一种号召，是一种脆弱的神圣承诺，需要我们下定决心去保护它。塞浦路斯强烈谴责任何国家通过军事行动破坏国际和平与安全、侵犯另一个国家的独立、主权和领土完整的行为。在这起违反国际法的事件中，在每一起此类事件中，我们都站在历史的正确一边，站在乌克兰一边。对我个人而言，我是战争的孩子，“永不重演”有着另外的价值和意义，因为我目睹了我的同胞们哀悼、坚持、重建，永远怀着对塞浦路斯和平与统一的热切渴望，这是土耳其入侵、占领和分裂塞浦路斯四十九年来我们一直遭受的后果。

塞浦路斯位于欧洲和中东的十字路口，处于世界上冲突和不稳定时常发生的地区，以色列-巴勒斯坦的最新事态发展也证明了这一点。然而我们坚信，东地中海、广大中东地区和欧洲可以成为稳定、和平与合作的中心，成为 21 世纪变革的典范。为了实现使欧洲和整个地区成为和平与繁荣之地的愿景，塞浦路斯寻求充当这一共同愿景的促进者，并与其欧盟伙伴和近邻携手合作，建立一个坚实的合作网络。

最后，我要感谢我的同事们为今天的活动取得成功所付出的辛勤劳动。

祝大家身体健康，幸福美满。新年将至，希望 2024 年能给世界带来和平，给我深爱的国家塞浦路斯带来自由和统一。

谢谢大家！

Your Excellency Vice Minister Deng Li,

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Thank you all for joining us.

I address myself to you today on the occasion of the completion of 63 years since the declaration of independence and the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. This is certainly a momentous and auspicious anniversary for all Cypriots, and one that carries an important meaning and significance that transcends time. We celebrate this day with pride as we reflect on the constant efforts and perseverance of a small island-country to meet the adversities and challenges in its turbulent region throughout the years. We remain proud for our achievements and our development, the quality of our democracy, as well as for being part of the European Union family.

Dear Friends,

This year also marks the 52th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Peoples Republic of China, on December 14th 1971. Despite the geographical distance, the Republic of Cyprus and the People’s Republic of China have forged a profound friendship and collaboration in a multitude of areas, that has stood the test of time. Our bilateral cooperation is based on mutual trust, respect and understanding.

Firmly anchored on this very solid base, over recent years our relations have expanded. We have maintained frequent exchanges of high-level visits, have developed practical cooperation across the board, and have advanced trade and economic ties to the benefit of our peoples. Acknowledging the positive progress of bilateral cooperation in the political, social and economic areas, we have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations always based on our shared commitment to multilateralism and international law.

Dear Friends

Allow me to underline what I personally believe constitutes a significant force for the enhancement of our bilateral partnership, and that is people-to-people exchange. Cyprus and China, two countries with rich histories and ancient civilizations, are determined to further enhance the meaningful cooperation in an extensive array of fields including education, research, innovation, tourism, health, sports and youth.

I would therefore like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for China’s long-standing support on the Cyprus question, and its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of the Republic of Cyprus. I also wish to extend our gratitude for China’s steadfast support to our efforts to resume negotiations to reach a comprehensive settlement in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. In parallel, Cyprus remains committed to the One China policy

Dear Friends,

More than seven decades following the establishment of the United Nations, our world is facing growing challenges. The war in Ukraine has shaken the world and it reminded us that “Never again” is a rallying cry, a sacred promise that is fragile, and one that we need to protect with all our resolve. Cyprus condemns in the strongest terms any breach of international peace and security effected through military action by any state, against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of another state. We stand on this instance of violation of international law, and on every such instance, on the right side of history, by the side of Ukraine. For me personally, as I am a child of war “Never Again” has also an additional value and meaning, as I have witnessed my compatriots mourn, persevere, rebuild, forever with a burning desire for peace and reunification of Cyprus which faces for 49 years the consequences of the turkish invasion, occupation, division.

Cyprus is at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, in a part of the world that is no stranger to conflict and instability, as also the latest developments in Israel- Palestine prove. We are, however, convinced that the Eastern Mediterranean, the wider Middle East and Europe can become a hub of stability, peace, and cooperation, an exemplar of the change capable in the 21st century. Cyprus seeks to act as a facilitator for this common vision and has come together with its EU partners and its immediate neighbours, building a solid network of cooperation that is underpinned by a vision to make Europe and the whole region a place of peace and prosperity.

I would also like to thank my colleagues at the Cyprus embassy for their tireless efforts and work for the success of the today’s event.

I wish you all good health well-being and prosperity. And as we are approaching the end of the year, let’s hope that 2024 will bring peace to the world and freedom and reunification to my beloved country Cyprus.

Thank you! xie xie!