RUSSIA and Cyprus plan to strengthen ties between the two countries during a visit to Moscow later this month by President Demetris Christofias.
Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said the President would begin a three-day official visit to Russia on November 18.
“This visit will give a new impetus and enhance the already excellent relations between the two countries,” he said, adding that it would be an important visit.
“Cyprus invests a lot in the firm, consistent, and I would say just, position of Russia regarding efforts to solve Cyprus problem,” Stefanou added.
Christofias said yesterday Russia was a most valuable friend of Cyprus.
“My forthcoming visit to Moscow in mid November, will contribute towards this mutually advantageous goal, giving new impetus to our shared targets in a variety of fields,” he said during a speech accepting the credentials of Russia’s new ambassador to Cyprus Vyachesiav D. Shumskiy.
“Russia has always been for Cyprus a true friend and an ally that projects the correct parameters of the Cyprus problem in all international for a,” said Christofias.
“In our quest for reunifying our island and its people, Russian solidarity and support continues to be indispensable.”
The President also referred to the “dynamic presence” of Cypriot investors in Russia as proof of confidence in the prospects of its economy.
“My Government’s priority is to work for the reinforcement and enhancement of our bilateral relations in all spheres, so that our traditional ties of friendship and cooperation may further flourish,” said Christofias.
Shumskiy said Russia also wished to further strengthen ties with Cyprus.
“There is no doubt that our countries have vast potential for expanding existing ties in the spheres of economy, trade, finance, tourism, transport, science, health care and many other areas,” he said.
He also said that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council Russia, together with its partners, was ready to contribute effectively to the ongoing negotiating process which belonged to the Cypriots themselves.
“We firmly believe that a just and functional solution can be achieved only without external interference, let alone pressure and imposed arbitration and asphyxiating timetables,” said Shumskiy.
He also said Cyprus and Russia shared the same principles of the settlement of regional and international conflicts and that the existing security architecture of Europe, “unfortunately, failed to stand the test of the recent events in the Caucasus”
The new ambassador was referring to the Georgia-Russia conflict in August
“The attempts to adjust it to the rules of unipolarity have led to a situation when this architecture proved incapable of containing the aggressor,” said Shumskiy.
