By Jean Christou
RUSSIA yesterday sought to defuse simmering tensions over Cyprus’ alignment with EU sanctions on Yugoslavia.
Following a meeting with House President Spyros Kyprianou, Russian ambassador Georgi Muratov said his country understood Cyprus’ position.
But he did say that Russian businessmen on the island had expressed their concern over Cyprus’ compliance with the sanctions.
Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides made it clear on Thursday that Cyprus has chosen the path towards accession for better or for worse, and that Russia had been informed of this.
Muratov said Russia had officially condemned the EU sanctions against Yugoslavia because it felt them to be in violation of the UN charter.
But he added the Nato bombing and the EU sanctions were separate issues for Russia.
And Muratov added that the concerns voiced this week were not the official position of the Russian government.
Reports of Muratov’s comments on Thursday caused a flurry of reaction from the government, which was quick to dispel the possibility that Cyprus- Russia relations were are risk.
“I have conveyed to political leaders the concerns of some businessmen whose interests are affected by the introduction of sanctions against Yugoslavia in the banking and shipping sectors,” Muratov said.
“We simply have to take into account the prospects of further developing our relations and their significance for both countries.”
Thousands of Russian businesses operate out of Cyprus, and many of who would have dealings with Yugoslavia.
Kyprianou, who opposes measures against the Serbs, said it appeared the embargo would have serious consequences for them.
Cyprus has already agreed to implement the EU oil embargo against Yugoslavia, despite the opposition of the House.
The new measures include restrictions on the movement of certain Yugoslav nationals, the freezing of Yugoslav assets abroad and other sanctions.
Some can be put in place directly by the Council of Ministers, while others, such as the freezing of assets, may need legislative changes which could get held up at the House.
Politicians were also worried that a tax treaty signed with Russia last December but not yet ratified by the Russian Duma was in danger of being shelved.
Asked about the treaty yesterday, Muratov said the fact the Duma has not yet ratified had nothing to do with the sanctions.
Muratov said the information on the delay at the Duma had not come from the embassy, but had filtered down to Cypriot politicians through their own sources.
He admitted, however, that the tax treaty had been put on the back burner for the moment.
“In the current situation no one can expect the Duma to make it (the tax treaty) a priority, because it is discussing other very important issues,” Muratov said. “I don’t see anything happening with that in the near future”.
The Duma is currently discussing the impeachment of Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
