Cyprus problem and bilateral relations where at the focus of the meetings Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades had on the sidelines of the 72nd UN General Assembly, in New York.
President Anastasiades took part in the official opening of the Assembly during which Secretary General Antonio Guterres and US President Donald Trump, among others, delivered their addresses.
The Cyprus problem and bilateral economic relations were discussed in the separate meetings he had with China`s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, government sources say.
President Anastasiades briefed them on developments in the Cyprus problem as well as on the willingness and good will of the Greek Cypriot side for talks to continue within the framework of the parameters set by UN SG, while he also referred to matters pertaining to UNFICYP’s strategic review process.
He thanked the two countries for their longstanding principled position on the Cyprus problem.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the same sources say, has extended an invitation to President Anastasiades to visit Moscow in the last 10 days of October, which he accepted.
A bilateral meeting the Cypriot President had with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Discussion focused on energy matters and the Cyprus problem while a visit of the Egyptian President in Nicosia two days before a Cyprus, Greece and Egypt trilateral summit was confirmed.
President Anastasiades also met with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jungnauth.
During a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias the two men reviewed developments in the Cyprus problem in view of their meetings with many international leaders on the sidelines of the Assembly.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-peace talks at the Swiss resort of Crans – Montana ended without an agreement. Talks held under the auspices of the UN aim at reunifying Cyprus under a federal roof.