Cyprus President Demetris Christofias was declared a distinguished honoured doctorate holder by the University of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, during a ceremony at the University.
Responding to questions after the ceremony, the President said that he will soon relinquish the post of AKEL General Secretary, reiterated his support for a new security system which will incorporate a commitment to the application of the principles of international law, such as respect for the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states. The President, in his remarks, also said that Cyprus, as long as he is in power, is not going to be linked to NATO.
Referring to Turkey’s accession course, he said Nicosia would like to see a democratic Turkey, expressed his support for Ankara’s accession to the EU, provided it respects EU principles and provided it recognises the Republic of Cyprus and opens its ports and airport to Cypriot ships and aircraft.
“Under these terms, we shall vote in favour of Turkey’s accession,” he added.
Introducing President Christofias, the Rector of the University Anatoly Torkounov welcomed Demetris Christofias to Moscow as the President of the Republic of Cyprus with warm greetings, referred to the increasing bilateral ties and noted that there is a “proximity of positions” between the two countries on many issues.
Trade relations, he said, are to the benefit of both countries.
The Rector said this honorary award goes to Christofias for his contribution to the development of Russian-Cypriot ties, noting that the University senate was unanimous in its decision to declare the Cypriot President as a distinguished honoured doctorate holder.
Replying to questions about the new security system, after the ceremony, Christofias stressed the need to return to a system that will ensure the application of the principles of international law.
The President said he believed NATO has no reason to exist after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, and described as “unacceptable” attempts by NATO to draw the EU into adventures it undertakes.
He said that Cyprus, an EU member, is not associated and will not be linked to NATO as long as his government is in place and added “I would like to believe that this will be the case with other governments to come”.
On US-Cyprus relations, he said he did not regard himself an “enemy” of either the US or the UK, noting that Cyprus needs them both in the effort to find a negotiated settlement.
On Turkey’s accession course, he said Ankara must respect and implement EU principles relating to absolute respect of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states.
Turkey, he went on to add, must meet its obligations to the EU and the EU must tell Turkey that it has to keep its military in the camps. “We do not want the Turkish military to determine Turkey’s foreign policy or to control the socioeconomic life of the country,” he stressed.
Responding to another question about Cyprus-Greece relations, in relation to his party AKEL, he pointed out that as the President of the Republic he cannot follow a tight party policy, and stressed that the top item on his agenda is to free Cyprus from the continuing Turkish occupation and to reunite the country, which has been divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974.
“I will give up my post as General Secretary of AKEL soon,” he concluded.
