Cyprus-Russia share common views on Kosovo

Cyprus’ position on a possible unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo is based on principles, President Tassos Papadopoulos stressed here today, adding that Nicosia and Moscow share common positions on the Kosovo issue.

Invited to comment on statements by first Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Sergei Ivanov on Kosovo, Papadopoulos said that Ivanov had pointed out that a UDI by Kosovo is “an unorthodox and bad idea and that this would set a precedent which could affect other issues. He did not say it would by necessity affect Cyprus.”

“Cyprus and Russia have maintained a position of principle on Kosovo,” President Papadopoulos said, answering press questions.

The Cypriot President added that Cyprus’ EU partners understand Nicosia’s stance on Kosovo.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, he expressed the conviction that the government, through its declarations and actions, has convinced the international community that it has all the necessary “political will, the willingness and the readiness to begin a serious dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot side in the framework of the Gambari process which was agreed under UN auspices and was signed by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat”.

President Papadopoulos was also asked about the recommencement of the illegal route between the Turkish occupied port of Famagusta and Latakia, Syria.

“The government has done all it could and even more than that to end this illegal route. We will continue our efforts”, he concluded.

Famagusta has been declared by the government of Cyprus a closed port following the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.

The UN has branded the illegal regime in occupied Cyprus “legally invalid” and called on all states not to recognise or facilitate it in any way.

President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of then UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.