FM heads to Kyrgyzstan amid rumours of direct flights to north

THE KYRGYZ government has assured Foreign Minister Erato Kazakou-Markoulli of its support for a Cyprus settlement based on international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

The first ever state visit by a Cypriot Foreign Minister to the central Asian country came amid reports that Kyrgyzstan might initiate direct flights to the north, a move that is feared would upgrade the status of the breakaway regime.

The government spokesman had denied this scenario, saying Markoullis’ visit was merely part of diplomatic protocol.

During her stay in Kyrgyzstan, Markoullis met with her counterpart Ednan Karabaev, Parliamentary Speaker Marat Sultanov and other senior Kyrgyz officials.

Markoulli briefed the Kyrgyz government on the latest developments on Cyprus, and the two sides pledged to enhance commercial and cultural ties.

The Cypriot delegation included DISY deputy Eleni Theocharous, chairman of the House Health Committee, and the Cypriot ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Leonidas Pantelides.

Following the official contacts, a news conference was held at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The Cypriot embassy also hosted a reception for Kyrgyz officials on the occasion of Cyprus’ 47th anniversary of the independence.

Markoulli made a stopover in Moscow, where she held contacts with Russian officials.
She is due back on the island today.

The trip to Kyrgyzstan comes at a time when neighbouring Syria, long considered an ally of Cyprus, is considering opening a ferry service from Latakia to the occupied port of Famagusta.
It is thought the ferry service is a private initiative, although the government is seeking explanations from Damascus on why it was kept in the dark.

Markoulli has given the Syrians until tomorrow to explain their position.

The government wants to know whether it is true that Turkish Cypriot officials have met Syrian ministers, whether there is an agreement with the ‘TRNC’ and whether the trips will go ahead, despite the government’s objections.
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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.