25/10/2017 09:20
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has said that it is important that a solution in Cyprus is achieved by Cypriots themselves, without foreign pressure.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Moscow with President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, who concluded a working visit to Russia, Putin said that Russia`s principled stance on Cyprus is that a comprehensive and just solution should be achieved on the basis of the UN decisions and the agreements between the two sides.
He described the discussions he held with the President of Cyprus as substantial and added that they exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues.
Putin said that Cyprus is an important partner of Russia and expressed his appreciation for President Anastasiades` willingness to deepen their bilateral relations.
He referred to the economic cooperation between the two countries and the close ties and cooperation between Russia and Cyprus.
In his statements, the Cypriot President thanked President Putin for the constructive dialogue and referred to the longstanding relations of the two countries. He said that they held a sincere and creative exchange of views on the Cyprus problem, the EU, bilateral issues and international and regional concerns.
He also said that he briefed his Russian counterpart on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue, stressing that he is ready to return to the negotiating table. President Anastasiades noted that a good preparation is necessary and said that the contribution of the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council is needed.
The Cypriot President expressed his deep appreciation for the long-lasting principled stance of Moscow especially in the framework of the UNSC.
In his statements, the Russian President said that Moscow appreciates the willingness of the Cypriot side and the President of Cyprus to deepen and promote their close relations with Russia and added that this cooperation is intensive.
Putin said that the two states have signed more than 40 intergovernmental and inter-ministerial agreements, and today a series of new important agreements were added, such as the joint action program 2018 – 2020 which covers a broad range of cooperation.
During their discussions, he said, they placed emphasis on their economic and trade cooperation and said that circumstances and foreign limitations on the basis of political decisions have had a negative impact on this cooperation. He noted that thanks to their joint efforts, in the first eight months of 2017 their bilateral trade was increased by 36%.
Moreover, they discussed the prospects of cooperation in the fields of innovation, energy performance, medicine, pharmaceuticals, aviation and shipbuilding.
The Russian President said that they attach great importance on the direct contact between the representatives of the business communities of the two states, and added that large Russian banks such as VTB, Gazprombank and Promsvyazbank have branches in Cyprus. Thanks to those banks, he said, the full range of financial investment transactions is being carried out.
Putin said that there are also prospects of cooperation in the field of military technology.
The Russian President said that traditionally, priority is given to the cultural field of the Russia – Cyprus relations, and said that they discussed prospects to further enhance those relations. He also said that great importance has always been placed on learning the Russian language and expressed hope that more attention will be given to the interests of students in Cyprus.
Referring to tourism, he said that Cyprus is one of the favourite destinations for Russian tourists, noting that in 2016 more than 800,000 Russians visited Cyprus, while their number in the first nine months of 2017 exceeds 700,000.
During their meeting, they reviewed European and international issues.
Putin expressed Russia’s principled stance for the achievement of a comprehensive and just solution of the Cyprus problem, based on the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus and the agreements reached between the two sides on the island.
`We believe that it is important that the final solution is found by Cypriots themselves without the imposition of ready recipes from outside or outside pressure’, he underlined, speaking through an intepreter.
Noting that Cyprus is close to the Middle East, Putin said that he briefed the Cypriot President on Russia’s efforts to combat terrorism in Syria and on the need to restore the Christian presence in the region and restore the communities and the normal dialogue between them.
In addition, he said he briefed President Anastasiades on the issue concerning the implementation of the Minsk agreement for a peaceful solution of the crisis in South-eastern Ukraine.
«I would like to express our gratitude to the President and our Cypriot friends for the constructive dialogue’ he concluded.
President Anastasiades expressed contentment as this was his third visit to Moscow and the second meeting with President Putin since he assumed office, noting that today’s consultations and discussions with the Russian President were particularly constructive and creative.
Anastasiades referred to the importance that Cyprus and Russia attach to further strengthening and deepening their relations and cooperation in all areas, noting the long-standing ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
“The common cultural, spiritual and religious values that bind us have been significantly reinforced in the last years by the dialogue on political, economic and defence cooperation” he noted.
At the meeting with the Russian President “we had a sincere and creative exchange of views on a range of issues that covered, inter alia, the Cyprus problem, our bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen them, the EU - Russia relations, and international and regional issues with emphasis on the situation in Ukraine, which also has to do with the relations between Europe and the Russian Federation, but also Syria and the escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula” President Anastasiades said.
On the Cyprus issue, he expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation for Russia’s principled stance, especially in the UN Security Council. "Principles that are based on respect of the international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant Security Council resolutions” he added.
The discussion on the Cyprus problem focused on the latest developments, with President Anastasiades informing his Russian counterpart that “on our part, we are ready to go directly to the dialogue on internal aspects, while with regard to the international aspect, the issues of security, guarantees , in a new session for Cyprus, what is required, as I have communicated to the Secretary General, is a good preparation and a proper preparation needs both the contribution of the Secretary General and the five permanent members of the Security Council”.
With regard to bilateral relations, the President noted that the signing of seven new agreements and memoranda of understanding not only demonstrates the wide range of cooperation between the two countries, but also contributes significantly to the deepening of bilateral political and economic relations.
Until now, the agreements between Russia and Cyprus stand at 67, of which 19 were signed in the last five years, according to the President.
He said that they also discussed the EU’s relations with the Russian Federation and how important it is for all the sides to normalize and further strengthen and deepen those relationships.
"The position of the Republic of Cyprus, which is expressed in practice and promoted methodically during the discussions in Brussels with the European partners, is in favor of a pragmatic approach in our relationship as Europe with Moscow. I believe this will be in the interests of our efforts be it to fight terrorism or to address regional or international problems” Anastasiades noted.
He added that they also exchanged views on the crisis in Ukraine, and how the implementation of the Minsk Agreement or the Normandy Format could make a significant contribution to overcoming existing problems. They also discussed the war in Syria, the North Korean crisis and the de-nuclearization which should be, among other things, the focus of the dialogue, as he noted.
“At the same time, we established the stabilizing role that Cyprus plays or could play in the region, especially taking into account the current conditions” said President Anastasiades.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Moscow with President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, who concluded a working visit to Russia, Putin said that Russia`s principled stance on Cyprus is that a comprehensive and just solution should be achieved on the basis of the UN decisions and the agreements between the two sides.
He described the discussions he held with the President of Cyprus as substantial and added that they exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues.
Putin said that Cyprus is an important partner of Russia and expressed his appreciation for President Anastasiades` willingness to deepen their bilateral relations.
He referred to the economic cooperation between the two countries and the close ties and cooperation between Russia and Cyprus.
In his statements, the Cypriot President thanked President Putin for the constructive dialogue and referred to the longstanding relations of the two countries. He said that they held a sincere and creative exchange of views on the Cyprus problem, the EU, bilateral issues and international and regional concerns.
He also said that he briefed his Russian counterpart on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue, stressing that he is ready to return to the negotiating table. President Anastasiades noted that a good preparation is necessary and said that the contribution of the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council is needed.
The Cypriot President expressed his deep appreciation for the long-lasting principled stance of Moscow especially in the framework of the UNSC.
In his statements, the Russian President said that Moscow appreciates the willingness of the Cypriot side and the President of Cyprus to deepen and promote their close relations with Russia and added that this cooperation is intensive.
Putin said that the two states have signed more than 40 intergovernmental and inter-ministerial agreements, and today a series of new important agreements were added, such as the joint action program 2018 – 2020 which covers a broad range of cooperation.
During their discussions, he said, they placed emphasis on their economic and trade cooperation and said that circumstances and foreign limitations on the basis of political decisions have had a negative impact on this cooperation. He noted that thanks to their joint efforts, in the first eight months of 2017 their bilateral trade was increased by 36%.
Moreover, they discussed the prospects of cooperation in the fields of innovation, energy performance, medicine, pharmaceuticals, aviation and shipbuilding.
The Russian President said that they attach great importance on the direct contact between the representatives of the business communities of the two states, and added that large Russian banks such as VTB, Gazprombank and Promsvyazbank have branches in Cyprus. Thanks to those banks, he said, the full range of financial investment transactions is being carried out.
Putin said that there are also prospects of cooperation in the field of military technology.
The Russian President said that traditionally, priority is given to the cultural field of the Russia – Cyprus relations, and said that they discussed prospects to further enhance those relations. He also said that great importance has always been placed on learning the Russian language and expressed hope that more attention will be given to the interests of students in Cyprus.
Referring to tourism, he said that Cyprus is one of the favourite destinations for Russian tourists, noting that in 2016 more than 800,000 Russians visited Cyprus, while their number in the first nine months of 2017 exceeds 700,000.
During their meeting, they reviewed European and international issues.
Putin expressed Russia’s principled stance for the achievement of a comprehensive and just solution of the Cyprus problem, based on the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus and the agreements reached between the two sides on the island.
`We believe that it is important that the final solution is found by Cypriots themselves without the imposition of ready recipes from outside or outside pressure’, he underlined, speaking through an intepreter.
Noting that Cyprus is close to the Middle East, Putin said that he briefed the Cypriot President on Russia’s efforts to combat terrorism in Syria and on the need to restore the Christian presence in the region and restore the communities and the normal dialogue between them.
In addition, he said he briefed President Anastasiades on the issue concerning the implementation of the Minsk agreement for a peaceful solution of the crisis in South-eastern Ukraine.
«I would like to express our gratitude to the President and our Cypriot friends for the constructive dialogue’ he concluded.
President Anastasiades expressed contentment as this was his third visit to Moscow and the second meeting with President Putin since he assumed office, noting that today’s consultations and discussions with the Russian President were particularly constructive and creative.
Anastasiades referred to the importance that Cyprus and Russia attach to further strengthening and deepening their relations and cooperation in all areas, noting the long-standing ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
“The common cultural, spiritual and religious values that bind us have been significantly reinforced in the last years by the dialogue on political, economic and defence cooperation” he noted.
At the meeting with the Russian President “we had a sincere and creative exchange of views on a range of issues that covered, inter alia, the Cyprus problem, our bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen them, the EU - Russia relations, and international and regional issues with emphasis on the situation in Ukraine, which also has to do with the relations between Europe and the Russian Federation, but also Syria and the escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula” President Anastasiades said.
On the Cyprus issue, he expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation for Russia’s principled stance, especially in the UN Security Council. "Principles that are based on respect of the international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant Security Council resolutions” he added.
The discussion on the Cyprus problem focused on the latest developments, with President Anastasiades informing his Russian counterpart that “on our part, we are ready to go directly to the dialogue on internal aspects, while with regard to the international aspect, the issues of security, guarantees , in a new session for Cyprus, what is required, as I have communicated to the Secretary General, is a good preparation and a proper preparation needs both the contribution of the Secretary General and the five permanent members of the Security Council”.
With regard to bilateral relations, the President noted that the signing of seven new agreements and memoranda of understanding not only demonstrates the wide range of cooperation between the two countries, but also contributes significantly to the deepening of bilateral political and economic relations.
Until now, the agreements between Russia and Cyprus stand at 67, of which 19 were signed in the last five years, according to the President.
He said that they also discussed the EU’s relations with the Russian Federation and how important it is for all the sides to normalize and further strengthen and deepen those relationships.
"The position of the Republic of Cyprus, which is expressed in practice and promoted methodically during the discussions in Brussels with the European partners, is in favor of a pragmatic approach in our relationship as Europe with Moscow. I believe this will be in the interests of our efforts be it to fight terrorism or to address regional or international problems” Anastasiades noted.
He added that they also exchanged views on the crisis in Ukraine, and how the implementation of the Minsk Agreement or the Normandy Format could make a significant contribution to overcoming existing problems. They also discussed the war in Syria, the North Korean crisis and the de-nuclearization which should be, among other things, the focus of the dialogue, as he noted.
“At the same time, we established the stabilizing role that Cyprus plays or could play in the region, especially taking into account the current conditions” said President Anastasiades.