It is with great pleasure that I receive the Letters of Credence by which His Excellency the President of the Republic of Lebanon accredits you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lebanon to the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus and Lebanon are bound by ties that reach back to antiquity. Our geographical proximity, our shared history and the enduring bonds between our peoples have fostered a relationship grounded in mutual respect, genuine friendship and close cooperation. Over the years, these historic ties have matured into a solid and multifaceted partnership encompassing political dialogue, economic cooperation, trade, culture, education and vibrant people-to-people contacts.

It has always been our conviction that true neighbours stand together in moments of difficulty and need. Cyprus remains firmly committed to supporting Lebanon’s security, stability, sovereignty and prosperity – pillars that are indispensable not only for the Lebanese people, but also for peace and stability across our wider region.

Our excellent cooperation has been further deepened in recent years across a broad spectrum, from energy to tourism and trade. A particularly important milestone is the recent Agreement on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a tangible expression of respect for international law and good-neighbourly relations. I am confident that considerable scope remains for further expanding our cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, energy, search and rescue, civil protection, tourism, education and culture. In this spirit, I look forward to working closely with you so that your tenure may prove fruitful and contribute to further enriching the bonds between our two countries.

At the same time, Cyprus highly values Lebanon’s constructive role in fostering dialogue and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. At a time when our region continues to confront profound challenges, it is even more essential that all efforts be directed towards de-escalation, strict adherence to international law and the pursuit of lasting and sustainable peace. We sincerely hope that the Lebanese Government will continue on the path of institutional strengthening, economic recovery and national reconciliation for the benefit of its people and the stability of the region.

At this point, I wish to express our sincere appreciation for Lebanon’s principled support for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

In closing, I wish you every success in the fulfilment of your important mission. I am confident that during your tenure the excellent relations between Cyprus and Lebanon will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Ambassador Charbel, I warmly welcome you to Cyprus.