RUSSIA has not changed its policy on Cyprus, President Tassos Papadopoulos said yesterday in response to concern over statements made by Moscow on Tuesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference at the Kremlin that Russia had not changed its stance on Cyprus but at the same time praised the Turkish Cypriot side in its striving for a settlement.
Putin said Moscow would like its policy to be balanced and that it hoped compromises acceptable to the north and south of Cyprus would be found.
“We believe that the northern part of Cyprus is also making its desire for a settlement clear and this should be encouraged…,” Putin said.
The comments raised concern in political quarters that traditional ally Moscow, which has always backed the Greek Cypriot side against Britain and the US at the UN Security Council, was assuming a more neutral stance.
Both opposition DISY and the United Democrats warned that Putin’s comments were cause for concern and warned the government it was because the Greek Cypriot side did not appear to be making any effort to resolve the Cyprus issue.
However, the government which has been extremely sensitive lately over similar statements coming out of London and Washington, says there is no issue of a change in Russia’s Cyprus policy.
“I am able to speak more correctly on this issue because I just had the chance to discuss all these issues with the President of Russia. It is easy to cling onto some words and try to give interpretation to them but does not reflect the reality,” Papadopoulos said.
He hinted that some quarters may have interpreted the comments in self-satisfied and smug manner.
“I am not referring to anyone in particular. People can read, judge and decide,” he said.
Papadopoulos was speaking after signing the book of condolences at the German Ambassador’s residence, for the death of Germany’s eighth president Johannes Rau.
Asked categorically whether he saw any change in Russia’s stance on Cyprus Papadopoulos said: “none whatsoever”.
“President Putin said this in his statement,” he added.
During his press conference on Tuesday, Putin had also suggested Russia and Cyprus return to the pre-EU visa free regime both countries enjoyed before May 2004. He hinted that if something could not be worked out with the EU on this issue, Russian tourists would turn to the north instead.
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