Russia wants the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to participate in a new international conference on Cyprus, as in other cases concerning world crises, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during talks on Tuesday at the Kremlin with President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.
According to CNA sources, Putin said his country would not accept any mediation or the imposition of any artificial timeframes, and pointed out that it was the two sides on the island that should take any decisions, without the guarantor powers or other third countries imposing their will on them.
The sources said Putin expressed the readiness of Russia to offer any assistance required in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, either in the Security Council or elsewhere, through Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, who is handling the Cyprus issue on behalf of the Russian government, and reiterated his country’s long-standing position for a just and viable settlement.
Referring to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Putin said it was important that it continued its mandate.
According to the same sources, President Anastasiades referred to the developments in Crans Montana, Switzerland, and expressed his readiness to resume the dialogue on the internal aspects of the Cyprus issue.
Regarding the international aspect, President Anastasiades pointed out the importance of proper preparation and called on the Russian side to speak with the UN Secretary General and the other permanent members of the Security Council, in order to convince them about the need for a collective effort to prepare an international conference, in which they would be participating.
During the meeting, Putin also raised the issue of multimillionaire Bill Browder, noting that he fully comprehends the legal framework of Cyprus and that Russia looks forward to a decision that will allow the two countries to cooperate. He also expressed satisfaction over the cooperation of the two countries in the sector of justice. President Anastasiades referred to the legal framework of Cyprus, noting that the Browder issue was in the courts.
Putin also said Cyprus had the most constructive stance within the EU regarding Russian-EU relations, noting that if the Europeans did not wish to cooperate with Russia, then Russia would take its own course. He added that his country has overcome the problems it was facing at the commencement of sanctions from the EU.
He furthermore noted that Cyprus is the first European country in investments in Russia, due to the volume of capital reinvested in Russia through Cyprus. Putin added that he would be instructing his Minister of Finance to promote the expansion of the agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between Cyprus and Russia.
Regarding energy issues, Putin said Moscow was following developments in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone and noted that Russia was especially interested to see if there would be any constructions based on the results of explorations over the next few years.
Putin also pointed out the importance of the singing of five bilateral agreements on Tuesday, especially the Joint Action Plan 2018-2020, which the two Presidents signed.
Initially, seven agreements were to be signed. However, the agreement for cooperation during crisis management humanitarian operations was not signed because the Russian side requested amendments which the Cypriot side said it would consider. Furthermore, the memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus and the Attorney General’s Office of Russia was not signed because the latter could not be in Moscow at the time to sign it.
Another issue raised by Putin was Russian tourism in Cyprus, noting that Russia was the third most popular destination for Cypriots. He said that as of November there would be a new policy in place regarding visas for foreigners visiting Russia, which would be valid for longer.
Putin noted the very good relationship between Russia and Cyprus in the sector of defence, and expressed gratitude for the docking and refuelling of Russian ships in Limassol.
He also requested that the teaching of the Russian language be promoted in schools in Cyprus, and pointed out the need to protect the Christian populations of the Middle East.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-backed negotiations, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, ended inconclusively at the beginning of July 2017.