The Diplomat
The II Edition of the Mediterranean Encounters between Spain and Cyprus, organised by the Cypriot Embassy and the Hispano-Hellenic Association “Polis” of Malaga and together with the Economic Society of Friends of the Country, was held in Malaga on the 18th of May.
With the attendance of the Provincial Delegate of the Ministry of Justice of the Andalusian Regional Government and the President of the Economic Society of Friends of the Country, the exhibition of 11 panels showing maps of Cyprus by the most important Italian, Flemish and French cartographers of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries (Abraham Ortelius, François de Bellefores, Gerardus Mercator…) was presented at this meeting. This is an exhibition of cartography open to the public until Wednesday 24 May, curated by the Cultural Foundation of the Bank of Cyprus. The conference entitled Mare cognitum. Cyprus and the first navigations in the Mediterranean, given by Professor Roberto García Alfonso.
After addressing a special greeting to the guests and friends from Cyprus, and the representative of the Junta de Andalucía, the ambassador of Cyprus, Helena Mina, pointed out that “Cyprus and Malaga are linked by the Mediterranean Sea. But, in addition to the common belonging to the Mediterranean culture, the European culture is the main feature that unites and has defined the history of Cyprus and Spain throughout the centuries, being today the determining feature of our foreign policies and our contemporary relationship. This year we celebrate 19 years since the accession of Cyprus to the EU, along with the 55th anniversary of the first exchange of ambassadors between Cyprus and Spain, which 8 years after its declaration as an independent Republic, saw in Spain a friendly country and an ally”.
“Malaga won me over from the first time I visited it a little over two years ago,” continued the Ambassador. It reminds me very much of the coastal cities of my country, which, like Malaga, have been important commercial ports since ancient times and which in recent decades have shown spectacular economic development, attracting investors and companies. Tourism plays a vital role in these cities, which, like Malaga, attract millions of visitors not only for their sun and beaches, but also for their unique cultural interest. It is very special to feel so close to home when you are actually thousands of kilometres away.”
“Furthermore,” concluded Helena Mina, “it would be a great omission if I did not announce today that very soon I will have the pleasure and honour of inaugurating an Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in Malaga. I also hope that before the end of 2023 the Mayors of the cities of Limassol and Malaga will formalise with their signatures a General Protocol of Action between the Municipalities of Limassol and Malaga in the field of tourism, education, environment and culture.”
