Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou praised on Wednesday the principled position the Russian Federation maintains on the Cyprus problem.
''The positions of Russia on Cyprus are firm, they are positions of principle and the support of the Russian Federation is granted,'' Kyprianou said in statements before his departure for Moscow where he will meet with Sergei Lavrov, his Russian counterpart, to discuss the ongoing UN-led negotiations between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for a political solution.
Kyprianou said that his visit falls within the framework of consultations the two governments and the two Foreign Ministries have.
''The support of the Russian Federation is granted but it is important to have a direct briefing on the various stages of the progress recorded in certain areas (in the Cyprus talks) and the problems where they arise,'' the Cypriot FM added.
He said that during tomorrow's meeting, he will discuss with Lavrov the Middle East issue as well as issues concerning the Russian Federation and the European Union.
''Russia is a strategic partner of the EU but it is well-known that on certain issues there are different views,'' Kyprianou added, noting that he believes that it is useful to discuss these issues with Russian officials.
Replying to questions, he said he is not concerned at all by the fact that a day after his own visit the President of Turkey Abdullah Gull will visit Moscow.
''Mr Gull will go (to Moscow) the next day. We are not worried,'' he said, adding ''the Russian positions are firm, they are positions of principle.''
''I believe that it is useful to convey our own messages, which can be applied during Gull's visit,'' Kyprianou said.
Invited to comment on the fact that Turkey and Russia are developing closer ties, Kyprianou said these relations are not new in the economic field.
''But we see that the political position of Russia remains steadfast because it is premised on principles and on international law,'' he said, recalling the joint declaration, signed by Cyprus and Russia during President Christofias' visit to Moscow in November last year, ''containing all the basic aspects and all the basic principles for the solution of the Cyprus problem.''
Replying to questions about the presence of the two military bases Britain has retained on the island, after its independence in 1960, he said according to various treaties still in force, London has the right to carry out military maneuvers and added: ''we want these maneuvers to take place in a safe framework.”
