Russian Foreign Minister’s visit to Cyprus
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 9th September 2020, Nicosia
The visit of the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation to Cyprus was an important opportunity to confirm the political and economic relations between the two countries and the friendship between our peoples. An opportunity to reaffirm Russia’s support on the Cyprus problem and towards the struggle for the reunification of our country on the basis of principles.
AKEL stresses the very clear position of the Russian Federation for a speedy resumption of the negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Resolutions of the United Nations and the agreed framework, something which will contribute to the solution of other problems too.
Furthermore, the position of the Russian Federation for the abolition of the anachronistic system of guarantees and for the safeguarding of the implementation of the future solution of the Cyprus problem by the Security Council of the United Nations, is fully in line with the position of the Republic of Cyprus.
AKEL points out that the Cypriot government cannot, on the one hand, be declaring that it intends to strengthen Cypriot-Russian relations while at the same time celebrating about the Menendez-Rubio law, which stipulates that Cyprus turn against Russia. One declaration negates the other. The government must abandon mincing its words and being evasive and take a clear stance on this extremely important issue.
The position of AKEL is quite clear: the foreign policy of our country cannot be determined by anyone other than the Republic of Cyprus itself. Cyprus does not have the luxury of losing or choosing allies. The Republic of Cyprus must develop relations with all countries by pursuing a multilevel foreign policy, based on international law and mutual benefit, for the promotion of peace and cooperation.
