AKEL delegation to Moscow for high-level meetings

  AKEL C.C. Press Office, 7th April 2014, Nicosia

A Delegation of AKEL which is in Moscow had important and substantive talks with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Gennady Zyuganov and the President of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin. During the meetings, the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL made an analysis of the recent developments on the Cyprus problem, calling for the support of the Russian Federation to the procedure and the upgrading of its involvement based on the Resolutions of the United Nations, International and European Law.

In addition, the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL analysed the developments on the economic issues and expressed his gratitude for Russia’s support towards the Cyprus economy. He also raised in all his contacts the matter stemming from the discussions in Russia about the amendment of the tax law concerning the taxation of the offshore companies. The GS of AKEL issued a call to avoid creating a given situation that would exacerbate even more the bad state of the economy.

The Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mr. Lavrov on his part reaffirmed the position of principle of the Russian Federation with regards the solution of the Cyprus problem. He clarified that the Russian Federation’s positions have the relevant UN resolutions as their starting point. He expressed his satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Cyprus, which, as he pointed out, were strengthened immensely during the Presidency of Demetris Christofias. Foreign Minister Lavrov stressed that he will continue Russia’s efforts to support the Cypriot economy and undertook the pledge to investigate the matter arising with the amendment of the Law on taxation.

During the AKEL Delegation meeting with the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) ​​a consensus of views was ascertained both with regards the Cyprus problem, as well as on the issues relating to the economic crisis. Gennady Zyuganov analysed the political situation in the Russian Federation and surrounding the developments in the Ukraine and Crimea. He expressed his full support towards the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and made ​​it clear that in his view the talks should continue from the point at which they had stopped.

Regarding the economic crisis the General Secretary of the CPRF noted that its consequences are being loaded on working people’s backs, while the rich are becoming richer. He stressed that 110 families in the Russian Federation own a third of the national wealth. Regarding the issue of Crimea, the GS of the CPRF highlighted the hypocrisy of the West, stressing that it is the West that has violated International Law in many cases without assuming any responsibility whatsoever for its actions. Particular reference was made to Kosovo. He pointed to the rise of neo-Nazi and neo-fascist groups in various countries, underlining that the policies implemented by the ruling circles give rise to such phenomena.

The President of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin expressed the support of the Russian Federation to the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions. He supported the actions of the Russian Government on the issue of Ukraine and Crimea, stressing that this issue has nothing whatsoever to do with Cyprus. The President of the Russian Duma expressed the wish for the stabilization of the Cyprus economy, pointing out that in 2014 the arrival of 800,000 Russian tourists is expected in Cyprus compared with 613,000 in 2013.

Regarding the amendment of the law on the taxation of the offshore companies, the President of the State Duma clarified that the objective is the assertion of the lawful rights of the Russian Federation in relation to its citizens. He argued that actions should not be taken that would put the Cyprus economy in danger.

Subsequently, the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL Andros Kyprianou and Demetris Christofias both gave interviews to a Russian channel. The contacts of the AKEL delegation are continuing and will be completed tomorrow.