PRIME MINISTER’S
SPEECH AT THE BANQUET HOSTED BY PRESIDENT CLERIDES
Following is the
text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s speech
at the banquet hosted by President Clerides of Cyprus in Nicosia
today:
"Thank you for kind
words, and for the exceptionally warm hospitality extended to
my delegation and to me. I return to Cyprus after a gap of well
over two decades. It is heart-warming to see that the genuine
friendship and affection between our peoples have remained undiluted
over the passage of time.
Mr. President,
It is easy to see
why millions of tourists visit you every year. With its blend
of ancient history and modernity, of scenic beauty and friendly
hospitality, this land is truly the abode of Aphrodite!
In past centuries,
its unique strategic location at the crossroads of three continents
made Cyprus the bone of contention for clashing armies and empires.
Today, you have used the same gift of geography to transform your
country into a first-rate tourist destination, a base for high
technology and a hub of shipping and offshore financial services.
We salute your remarkable
achievement in emerging so successfully from adversity and conflict
to development and prosperity in the short time span of two and
a half decades.
Mr. President,
Relations between
India and Cyprus virtually date back to the earliest recorded
history. We are both ancient civilizations. Both our countries
have been the meeting point of multiple cultures. We have democratic
polities and our people believe in a plural society.
The foundation stone
of our post-independence friendship was laid by the friendship
between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Archbishop Makarios. Our partnership
has been close and enduring.
We deeply appreciate
the consistent support of Cyprus on issues of vital concern to
India. We value your understanding of our national aspirations.
Where else in the world would you find another capital city where
the Indian High Commission is located on Indira Gandhi Street
and the National Parliament on Jawaharlal Nehru Avenue with a
statue of Mahatma Gandhi right next to it? These are declarations
of friendship more eloquent than any words. We owe it to our succeeding
generations to build on this friendship in consonance with emerging
opportunities. We have today discussed our strengthening cooperation
in information technology, research & development, culture,
health and communications.
Hundreds of Indian
software professionals and computer scientists have found a temporary
home in Cyprus. Their presence further enriches our bilateral
interaction. I am hopeful that in the near future we will see
direct flights bringing our countries closer together.
Even as we reinforce
our ties of friendship, we must remain ever vigilant to the new
challenges ahead. Terrorism has become a global menace. Democratic
and plural societies are particularly vulnerable to its poison.
Terrorism must be defeated, even more so when it is sponsored
by a state. India is at the forefront of this battle. We know
that Cyprus will always support our struggle.
Mr. President,
I visited the Green
Line today. It is a stark reminder of a painful legacy of your
history. We know you are involved in a critical effort to settle
this vexed problem. Cyprus is fortunate to have in you a wise
statesman to lead these negotiations.
Your country is also
on the threshold of joining the European Union.
As always, you have
our support and very best wishes in both these endeavours.
We are confident
that your tryst with destiny is not far away. As your great poet
Costas Montis has said:
"We must today, we
must tomorrow
lean out of the window,
the shutters of the
small window
must today, must
tomorrow
smile with the dawn".
The people of India
will be with their friends in Cyprus when this new dawn arrives.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I request you to
join me in a toast:
- to the health and happiness
of President and Madame Clerides;
- to the progress and prosperity
of the friendly people of Cyprus; and
- to the continued friendship
between India and Cyprus.
Ef Haristo.
Thank you".