Putin: Russia supports Cyprus’ integrity

Russia maintains its position in favour of Cyprus’ and Serbia’s territorial integrity, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated today during a press conference in the Kremlin.

“Are you not ashamed in Europe of the double standards you are applying to settle such problems?” Putin asked the leaders of European states.

His comments came in response to press questions, as it is widely expected that the US and many EU countries plan to recognise an independent Kosovo, which is set to announce a unilateral declaration of independence on Sunday or Monday.

Asked whether there is a contradiction between Russia’s support to UN Security Council resolutions and his statement, President Putin said that his country opts for the observance of the fundamental principles of international law, which are based on respect of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states.

“From this point of view we maintain the same approach towards the Cyprus issue and the problem of Kosovo”, Russian President stressed, adding that “there is a relevant resolution providing that Serbia is entitled to territorial integrity and we have respect this. The same applies to Cyprus that must be a united country and we support this state of affairs”.

Putin argued that there is no contradiction, noting that “a contradiction would emerge if in one part of Europe we form relations based on certain rules and in another part we base them on completely different rules to serve the interests of a country or of a group of countries.”

In such a case, this would lead to chaos and it would be scary, Putin concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The Turkish Cypriot self-styled regime in occupied Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey and the UN have called on all states not to recognise it, describing it “legally invalid.”