Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has discussed the need for the presence of UNFICYP, the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus, to continue while there are no developments towards a solution, with the Foreign Ministers of Russia Sergei Lavrov and China Wang Yi in separate meetings he had with them on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, on Tuesday, in New York.
In statements after all the meetings President Anastasiades had today, Government Spokesman said that China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, will refer to this matter in the relevant discussions which will take place in the Security Council.
Referring to the meeting with Wang Yi, Christodoulides said that the Foreign Minister was briefed of recent developments in the Cyprus problem and expressed China’s appreciation for the thorough information contained in President Anastasiades’ letters.
“Bilateral relation matters were also discussed and it was agreed that China will promote actions soon that will enhance investments such as Chinese tourist visits to Cyprus, while it was also agreed to speed up discussions between the two countries for an avoidance of double taxation agreement,” he added.
EU – China relations and Republic of Cyprus’ role as an EU member were also discussed, he said.
Referring to President Anastasiades meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, government spokesman said it was confirmed that President el- Sisi will visit Cyprus on November 20, one day before a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt.
“We are having preliminary discussion and possibly this trilateral meeting will open up to include one more country,” he noted.
According to Christodoulides, the discussion also focused on regional developments and in particular those concerning the Gulf countries and how they affect the region.
“Energy matters were also discussed as well as way to proceed with joint actions to the benefit of both people,” he said.
Referring to the meeting President Anastasiades had with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Government Spokesman said that President Anastasiades has accepted an invitation extended to him by Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Moscow between 23 and 25 October.
“Preparatory work has begun for the signature of important agreements,” he noted.
He further referred to the matter of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, a matter also discussed with the Chinese Foreign Minister, as he said, and the need for UNFICYP’s presence on the island to continue while there are no developments in the direction of a solution of the Cyprus problem.
“It is something which both China and Russia will note in the relevant discussions which will take place in the Security Council,” Christodoulides said.
On a meeting later between President Anastasiades and Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, the spokesman said it was a “frank exchange of views” for everything which has taken place recently as well as the common actions which will continue.
“The Republic of Cyprus and Greece have shown through a specific strategy the importance of the chapter of security and guarantees, the essence of the Cyprus problem, which we tried to do since 1974,” he noted.
“This led the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to make a statement on June 4 on the importance of this chapter which will affect the possibility for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem,” he said. At the same time Kotzias briefed the President in detail over the discussion he had with the UN SG, Christodoulides added.
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.