Russian President to pay official visit to Cyprus in October

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will be arriving in Cyprus on October 7 for a two-day official visit.

Announcing the visit, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said President of the Republic Demetris Christofias had sent a letter to Medvedev in January, regarding Turkish provocations, and in his reply, the Russian President expressed his country's appreciation for President Christofias' stance in talks for a solution of the Cyprus problem, in line with UN resolutions.

Medvedev reaffirmed Russia's position that a solution could only be found through talks between the two communities, and that any efforts to impose ready solution plan, including an artificial negotiating framework and pressure from third parties, would be unconstructive.

Stephanou added that Medvedev also reaffirmed Russia's readiness to assist in creating a favourable environment for successful bicommunal talks.

The Russian President also announced that he accepted an invitation by President Christofias to visit Cyprus in October, and said he considered the time of visit symbolic, since it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the then Soviet Union, a fact that would further contribute to promoting cooperation between the two countries.