THE CYPRUS dispute should be resolved without pressure from outside as all attempts to impose ready-made “recipes” are counterproductive, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said yesterday during a 24-hour visit to the island.
The first Russian head of state to visit the ethnically divided island, Medvedev reiterated Moscow’s support for long-running reunification talks. He said the Cyprus and Russia had a long history of “real friendship and mutual interest and assured Nicosia that the development of relations between Moscow and Ankara would not affect Russian-Cypriot ties. “I can tell you frankly: this cannot threaten Cyprus at all,” Medvedev said. “Russia’s position on the settlement of the Cyprus dispute remains unchanged: there must be a united country with a single sovereignty and two communities.”
Medvedev’s busy itinerary began with a formal welcoming ceremony in his honour at the Presidential Palace, followed by a private meeting with President Demetris Christofias and official talks.
Christofias thanked Medvedev for Russia’s unwavering support, calling it “priceless.” There was a “total convergence of opinion” between the two governments on all matters of international policy, the President added.
“Your visit is indeed of historic significance,” Christofias told Medvedev.
At the Presidential Palace, the two leaders signed 15 agreements enhancing bilateral ties, including a key accord abolishing double taxation that officials hope will boost investment in both countries.
Much was made of the double taxation agreement, which Medvedev said made business activity more transparent and allowed for better monitoring.
In 2008 Russia had declared Cyprus a “tax haven” on the grounds it was not cooperating enough in exchanging information on bank assets, leading to tax evasion.
Medvedev noted that the new agreement makes such business activity more transparent, allowing for better monitoring. He said overall investment from Cyprus to Russia has exceeded $50 billion (€37.5 billion) and that the double taxation agreement would further enhance economic cooperation.
President Christofias said the two countries worked together to “dispel any shadows” hampering deeper economic cooperation.
Medvedev next held a meeting with House Speaker Marios Garoyian, after which he was sped to the Hilton Hotel to address the Cyprus-Russia Business Forum held there.
Security around the Russian President was tight and visible, with a police helicopter constantly airborne shadowing Medvedev’s bomb-proof limo from above. The security operation was coordinated from the Rapid Reaction Unit headquarters in Nicosia.
Later in the afternoon, Medvedev met with Archbishop Chrysostomos II at the Archbishopric.
Together with Christofias, Medvedev also inaugurated a branch of VTB Bank subsidiary Russian Commercial Bank.
The official dinner in Medvedev’s honour, held at the Presidential Palace, had symbolic undertones, as Christofias said the Russian leader’s visit coincided with the 50-year anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus.
Reiterating Cyprus’ “gratitude” for Russia’s steadfast support, Christofias said Nicosia favoured the creation of a special strategic partnership between Russia and the European Union, which he said would ensure peace and security.
The Russian President’s flight out of Larnaca’s old airport was scheduled for 10pm last night.
