Russian President Vladimir Putin has told during a telephone conversation Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades that he will intervene to Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan in order for the crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean to de-escalate and to become involved in a creative dialogue for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Government Spokesperson Kyriacos Koushos, said on Thursday.
He also informed President Anastasiades that Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in Cyprus on September 8, for a more detailed review of developments and undertaking common activities for the prevalence of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Putin also invited President Anastasiades to visit Russia as soon as conditions allow it, which the latter accepted, Koushos said.
In statements at the presidential palace, the Government Spokesperson said Putin and Anastasiades had a long telephone conversation today which “lasted over 45 minutes and took place in a friendly climate,” a presidency press release says.
President Anastasiades, Koushos said, thanked President Putin “for the long-standing cooperation and the Russian Federation’s support towards the Republic of Cyprus and referred in particular to Russia’s contribution in drafting the last UN Security Council resolution for the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate.”
He continued noting that Cyprus’ President informed Putin of Turkey’s illegal activities in the Republic of Cyrpus’ EEZ and the latest Navtex which it has issued, as well as on the presence of survey vessel Barbaros in Cyprus’ EEZ.
Koushos pointed out that President Anastasiades stressed that such actions intensify an already tense situation and to not contribute in the creation of a good climate in order for negotiations to reach a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem to continue, a problem, which as President Anastasiades stressed, constitutes our priority.
“At the same time, he reconfirmed our firm commitment in the solution of the Cyprus problem through the continuation of talks on the basis of UN resolutions,” he added.
According to the Government Spokesperson, President Anastasiades explained to Putin that Turkey’s position that it is acting to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community is not a valid one, because Turkey is disputing and demands 44% of the Republic of Cyprus’ EEZ, something which clearly also affects the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community.
“He also explained that the Republic of Cyprus has passed relevant legislation and President Anastasiades himself has made proposals to safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community,” Koushos said.
President Anastasiades, he continued, “also referred on the matter of Famagusta and Turkey’s threats to open and settle the fenced off part of it in violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and asked for the Russian President’s intervention, believing that it would act as a catalyst and would have immediate outcomes.”
Koushos said that President Anastasiades also asked the Russian President “to intervene with Turkey to persuade it to end its illegal activities while he also expressed his determination to continue talks for a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem.”
On his part, the Government Spokesperson continued, the Russian President “assured that he is following with great concern the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and everything that is taking place in the Republic of Cyprus’ EEZ, stressing that Russia is always in favour of resolving differences through negotiations on the basis of international law principles.”
“He promised to intervene to President Erdogan for the de-escalation of the crisis and (for Turkey) to become involved in a creative dialogue for the solution of the Cyprus problem,” he pointed out.
Koushos further said that Putin “stressed that he is especially pleased by President Anastasiades’ position and his willingness for the resumption of negotiations, as well as the proposals for Turkish Cypriot rights, and promised to convey that to Erdogan.”
He added that the Russian President also expressed hope that the air connection between Cyprus and Russia will be re-activated.
At the same time, according to the Government Spokesperson, Putin referred to a House of Representatives resolution condemning the existence and activities of neofascist and neo-Nazi movements in Europe, expressing his satisfaction.
Putin, he said, also recalled that this year marks 60 years from the Republic of Cyprus’ independence and that Russia was one of the first countries to recognize it and added that a series of events marking this anniversary will take place in Russia.
He also agreed that despite difficulties caused by the pandemic the cooperation between the two countries’ ministries continued, adding however that unfortunately measures to contain the pandemic have affected cooperation and as a result there was a significant drop in the trade volume in the first four months of this year.
Koushos said the Russian President proposed that an intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation between Russia and Cyprus is convened as soon as possible and asked President Anastasiades to appoint a Cypriot co- president of the committee, with Anastasiades replying that he will do it immediately.
At the same time, he added, Putin also thanked Cyprus’ President and expressed his gratitude over the Republic of Cyprus’ help in the return of Russian citizens to their country during the pandemic.
President Anastasiades, the Government Spokesperson said, “assured President Putin of the Republic of Cyprus’ wish to continue to have excellent relations with the Russian Federation, which will be continuously upgraded, something over which President Putin expressed satisfaction and assured that the Russian Federation will work in this direction.”
Vladimir Putin also issued a press release on his telephone conversation with President Anastasiades.
“In view of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations that will be marked this year, the two leaders noted the traditionally friendly and constructive character of multilateral cooperation between Russia and Cyprus,” the press release reads.
It adds that “they also discussed in detail current issues of Russia-Cyprus interaction in various spheres and emphasised the need to improve the contractual legal framework of bilateral relations, including in finance and investment. Mutual interest was expressed in the further strengthening of trade, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.”
“The two presidents also discussed regional agenda, including the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the prospects for the Cyprus settlement,” the press release in the Russian President’s website concludes.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.
Turkey’s seismic research vessel ‘Barbaros’ entered Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on July 30, 2020 and the specific area that Turkey has blocked with an illegal NAVTEX. According to the illegal NAVTEX, the area is located southeast of Cape Greco (Famagusta) and includes parts of blocks 2, 3 and 13 of Cyprus’ EEZ.
The Republic of Cyprus, has issued immediately an anti-NAVTEX, according to which the Turkish NAVTEX is illegal and violates the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and has taken steps on various levels in relation to the new Turkish provocations.
Turkish drill ship “Yavuz” arrived last April in the exclusive economic zone (ΕΕΖ) of Cyprus, after Ankara announced another attempt to drill a well in blocks licensed to European companies. This is the 6th time Turkey attempts to drill within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus, this time in an area that covers part of exploration blocks 6 and 7, which have been licensed to ENI and TOTAL.
In a statement on May 15, EU Foreign Ministers deplored the fact that Turkey has not yet responded to EU calls to cease such activities and reiterated their call on Ankara to show restraint, refrain from such actions, and respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Cyprus, in accordance with international law. EU Foreign Ministers also reaffirmed previous Council and European Council conclusions, notably those of June 2019 and October 2019 on Turkey’s continued illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
