Russia Willing to Actively Assist Peace Efforts on CyprusThe Russian government has underlined its willingness to actively assist efforts to reach a settlement in Cyprus based on U.N. resolutions.The Russian stand was contained in a message sent on Friday by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kassoulides on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Russian ambassador to Nicosia Vladimir Pavlinov handed Ivanov's message to Kasoulides, who is also sending a similar message to his Russian counterpart thanking him for Moscow's consistent support to the efforts for reaching a settlement in Cyprus, the Cyprus News Agency reported. "We are convinced that a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus by way of establishment of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with a single international personality, in accordance with the parameters defied in the U.N. resolutions on Cyprus, would be to the interest of all the Cypriots," Ivanov said in his letter. He said his country has consistently stood, including in the framework of the U.N. Security Council, for the achievement of a lasting, just and viable solution of the Cyprus issue. Ivanov noted the Cyprus issue has continued for too long, causing pain and suffering to the island's people and complicating the political situation in the Eastern Mediterranean island and in the southeast of Europe in general. The Russian foreign minister described cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, educational, defense and other fields as "constructive" and said this is a guarantee for their further improvement. Kasoulides' letter to his Russian counterpart was scheduled to be handed Friday by Cyprus' ambassador to Moscow Charalambos Ioannides. In his letter, Kasoulides reportedly thanks the Russian government and people for the consistent support and understanding to the Cyprus government and people on the island's political issue. He expressed confidence that the principled position adopted by the Russian Federation on Cyprus will continue in the years to come. Kasoulides also underlined every state has the right to combat international terrorism and armed insurgencies on its own soil. Cyprus has been divided into Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island after an abortive pro-Athens coup in Nicosia. Three rounds of U.N.-sponsored proximity talks have been held between the two sides of the island, aiming at paving the way for substantive negotiations. A new round is scheduled to begin in New York on September 12. |
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