Πρέσβυς Γ. Πουλίδης: Σήμερα γινόμαστε μάρτυρες στην κατάρρευση των σχέσεων μεταξύ κρατών

Την ανάγκη δέσμευσης σε μια κουλτούρα συνύπαρξης υπογράμμισε ο πρέσβυς της Κύπρου και πρύτανης του Διπλωματικού Σώματος , Γεώργιος Πουλίδης, σε δείπνο , που παρέθεσε χθες ο Σεβασμιώτατος Καρδινάλιος (πρωθυπουργός)  Pietro Parolin. Το δείπνο προς τους διαπιστευμένους πρέσβεις είναι ετήσιο και αποτελεί αναγνώριση της Αγίας Έδρας στο έργο των εκεί διαπιστευμένων διπλωματών από 184 κράτη. 

Ο πρέσβης Γεώργγιος Πουλίδης επεσήμανε ότι οι διπλωμάτες  πρέπει να αντιμετωπίζουν τις αποφάσεις, που ορίζονται ως «παγκόσμιες», απαλλαγμένες από ιδεολογικές προκαταλήψεις ή αξιακές διακρίσεις.

* Παρατίθεται στα αγγλικά το πλήρες κείμενο της σύντομης ομιλίας του πρέσβη Γ. Πουλίδη

Address of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps / Ambassador of Cyprus,
H.E. Mr. George Poulides on the occasion of the
Dinner offered to the Heads of Mission
by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin,
Secretary of State
**********

“Your Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State
Your Excellencies,
Sr Raffaella, Secretary General of the Governatorato,
Reverend Monsignors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See and my own, I would
like to express to His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, our
gratitude for this traditional meeting, which is a heartfelt gesture of hospitality and
reflects the value attributed to the bonds that unite the Holy See and the countries we
represent.
In our time, we face extremely complex challenges. After the dramatic years of
combatting the pandemic, during which the international community sought to respond
to the health crisis in a shared and united way, unfortunately today we are witnessing
a breakdown in relations between States. The great wars of the past, which caused
immense suffering, profound concern and atrocious destruction, loom like a sword of
Damocles over our heads. Faced with such scenarios, nations have proved weak and
timid in seeking solutions capable of halting a dramatic escalation.
In this sense, allow me to recognize the courage and work of the Holy Father and the
Secretariat of State, who, in order to contrast the roar of arms and the logic of clear-cut
divisions, have presented social friendship and the culture of encounter as the solution.
These are two themes that Your Eminence recently underscored during the Conference
of the Centesimus Annus Foundation held on 5 June last and which you emphasized as
“the distinctive features of an open and future-oriented society”. Where there no will
to listen and understand, it would not be possible to build relationships and therefore
“the essence and dignity of persons” would be lost.
Allow me to evoke your words in recalling that the profound meaning of the activity
of diplomatic representatives is, therefore, “to pay attention to every element of truth
they encounter in the life experience and culture of others”.
Keeping this teaching in mind, we can and must commit ourselves to building the
foundations of a culture of encounter.
In the same way, we must face the decisions defined as “global”, free from ideological
preconceptions or value distinctions. It therefore becomes ever more urgent to restore
trust and credibility in our activity as diplomats, so that the clouds gathering over our
future may be dissipated and allow a ray of light and hope shine through for all
humanity.
Your Eminence, I thank you for the time you have given us and, on behalf of the
Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, I present my best wishes for your
continued good health and pray that your activity in the service of the Holy Father may
continue to contribute to making the world a more just and peaceful place.
I wish an enjoyable evening to Your Eminence and to all here present”.