Cyprus apologises over incident with Egyptian Ambassador

Foreign Ministry apologises over incident with Egyptian Ambassador

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus has expressed regrets and apologies for the treatment of Egyptian Ambassador Menha Mahrous Bakhoum, during an incident at Larnaca Airport.

In a statement issued upon instructions of the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Marcoullis says that, the treatment of the Ambassador was not in conformity with the principle of inviolability of the person and respect of diplomatic representatives, and that a thorough investigation will be carried out.

“Regarding the incident at Larnaca Airport, which took place on Saturday afternoon, 29 December 2012, concerning the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mrs Menha Mahrous Bakhoum, and the police officers on duty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses publicly and sincerely its regrets and apologies for the treatment of the Ambassador, which was not in conformity with the principle of inviolability of the person and respect of diplomatic representatives,” Marcoullis says.

 

She notes that “the President of the Republic has already asked from the competent Ministries to conclude, the soonest possible, the thorough investigation of the incident.”

“We assure the Government and the friendly people of Egypt that the Cyprus Government and the people of Cyprus greatly appreciate the traditionally excellent and brotherly relations between Egypt and Cyprus and will continue to work tirelessly for the further deepening and strengthening of these relations in every field,” she concludes.