Cyprus and Serbia discuss EU, Turkey 

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic took part in a bilateral meeting on Friday, during which they exchanged views on a number of topics, including the Turkish provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean region and Serbia’s EU accession negotiations.

“During the course of our open and positive deliberations, we reviewed the full spectrum of our excellent bilateral relations, which are founded on a solid institutional framework, as well as on strong people to people contacts,” Christodoulides said in a statement after the meeting.

“We noted with satisfaction the high level of cooperation that already exists in a number of different areas and examined concrete ways in which existing ties could be further enhanced and expanded.”

The foreign minister said he also informed his counterpart about the continuing illegal activities of Turkey in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of Cyprus, as well as on the ground, with the provocative Turkish actions in the fenced area of Varosha, in violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

“In relation to this, I want to express our deep appreciation for Serbia’s steadfast position and long-standing support,” he said.

Selakovic, on his part, said Serbia attaches great importance to its relations with Cyprus and thanked Christodoulides for his support in the ongoing Kosovo and Metohija province issue.

The territory of the province is disputed between Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo.

“Finally, I want to thank the Cyprus government for its principled, strong and effective support for Serbia’s EU accession process,” Selakovic said.

Christodoulides said he would reciprocate Selakovic’s visit in 2021 as soon as the conditions allow.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.