The President of the Republic meets
with the President of the Russian Duma
Cyprus is the most reliable voice for Russia within the EU, said the
President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, who met today in Moscow with
the President of the State Duma, Mr Sergey Naryshkin, in the framework of his
official visit to Russia.
During the meeting, Mr Naryshkin, speaking through an interpreter,
referred to the traditional bonds between Russia and Cyprus and added that “our
countries approach various modern international issues in a similar way and they
have great cooperation in international organizations. And Russia contributes in
this cooperation with its firm position on the Cyprus problem.
We hope for the growth of the cooperation between our countries and our
Parliaments. We thank our colleagues in Cyprus who support us and who supported
a resolution (of the Parliamentary Assembly) of the Council of Europe on the
issue of the restrictions of the responsibilities of the Russian
delegation.”
He added that he has accepted an invitation by the President of the House
of Representatives, Mr Yiannakis Omirou, to visit Cyprus.
Mr Naryshkin also said that “our relations that have always been growing,
are now hostage to the relations of Russia and the EU” and thanked the President
of the Republic for the positions expressed within the EU on the issue of Russia
and Ukraine.
The President of the Republic, on his part, stressed that “we are here in
order to express our determination to continue our longstanding relations, so
that they are equally strong, something that is also demonstrated by the
decision of the Duma, yesterday, to ratify the restructuring of the loan (of
Russia to Cyprus).”
He also expressed the gratitude of the people of Cyprus for the
longstanding support of the Duma for the problems of Cyprus, underlining the
principled position that the Russian Federation maintains at the UN Security
Council and its stance with regard to the aversion of dangers after Turkey’s
invasion.”
He added: “I am aware of the problems caused by the Ukrainian crisis in
Russia-EU relations. Our own position was from the beginning that the crisis can
be solved only through diplomatic means and not military measures. From the
outset, we said that the sanctions would not only hurt Russia but also the
member states and in particular the states that are dependent on or have links
with Russia.
As
a matter of principle we defend the independence and territorial integrity of
Ukraine on the basis of the Minsk agreements. I assure you that our effort will
be to help in the efforts to restore EU-Russia relations. Cyprus is the most
reliable voice for Russia within the EU.”
