The Republic of Cyprus has welcomed the announcement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, which warns its citizens against buying land in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.
Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Monday that Russia’s position is based on the UN Security Council resolutions, which condemn the illegal declaration of the pseudostate in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.
The Russian position, he added, is based on UNSC resolutions 541 and 550.
“We welcome Russia’s clear positions of principle”, he said.
Stephanou stressed that Russia’s stance reaffirms its firm positions on the Cyprus issue, noting that they strengthen Cyprus’ struggle to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.
He reiterated that the solution of the Cyprus problem should terminate the illegal occupation of Cyprus by Turkey, should give an end to Ankara’s policy of illegally bringing settlers to the island and should reunify the country and its people.
The Spokesman said that the solution of the Cyprus problem must be achieved in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in the relevant UN SC resolutions for one state with one sovereignty, citizenship and international personality.
Invited to comment on press information according to which a four party conference on the Cyprus problem will take place during the Cypriot presidency of the EU, Stephanou said that the Cyprus process does not provide for any conference on all issues of the Cyprus problem.
The Republic of Cyprus, he added, will not accept the violation of the agreed process of the Cyprus problem, saying that the government is making representations to those who work against the agreed process thus covering Turkey’s actions.
In a statement, Russian Deputy Director of Press and Information Department Zacharova Maria, notes that the so called state in the – since 1974 – Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, is an illegal state and warned Russian citizens against buying territory there.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied one third of its territory.
UN resolution 541 (1983) adopted by the Security Council on 18 November 1983 considers the declaration by the Turkish Cypriot authorities issued on 15 November 1983 to create an independent state in northern Cyprus, as incompatible with the 1960 Treaty concerning the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.
The UNSC, in its resolution deplores the declaration of the Turkish Cypriot authorities of the purported secession of part of the Republic of Cyprus, considers the declaration referred to above as legally invalid and calls for its withdrawal.
It also calls upon all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus, calls upon all states not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus and calls upon all states and the two communities in Cyprus to refrain from any action, which might exacerbate the situation.
UNSC resolution 550 (1984) reaffirms its resolution 541(1983) and calls for its urgent and effective implementation. It also condemns all secessionist actions, including the purported exchange of Ambassadors between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot Leadership, declares them illegal and invalid and calls for their immediate withdrawal.
UNSC resolution 550 reaffirms the call upon all states not to recognise the purported state in occupied Cyprus set up by secessionist acts and calls upon them not to facilitate or in any way assist this secessionist entity.
