The Turkish challenges in the EEZ and Famagusta, at the center of the Lavrov-Christodoulidis meeting

The complete devaluation of Turkey of the decisions of the Security Council, and consequently of the members of the Council, is something that we believe that the Council itself and in particular its permanent members should seriously consider, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus stressed on Thursday Nikos Christodoulidis.

From Moscow where it is located for working visit and after the meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Mr. Christodoulidis referred to the issues that occupied the contacts of the two Foreign Ministers, including the Cyprus issue, as well as the recent actions of Ankara in the enclosed area of ​​Famagusta.

“I would like to begin by thanking my friend, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, for inviting me to visit Moscow, as part of our regular dialogue, and for the opportunity to have an honest and open dialogue, as we always have,” Christodoulidis said. and added:

“During our consultations, a lot happened constructive discussion and exchange of views on our bilateral relations, dealing with the pandemic, international and regional issues, EU-Russia relations, and of course on the Cyprus issue and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

I would like to point out that my presence here today is a return to the visit of dear Sergei to Nicosia a year ago, when we celebrated the completion 60 years old from the conclusion of diplomatic relations “.

“Through the review and evaluation of our bilateral relations in which we proceeded, it is clear that they are at an excellent level. Today we had the opportunity to discuss with the friend the Minister about their development prospects in specific areas and in issues of common interest, always for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries. We agreed to work together in this direction in the next period.

It is precisely in this context, but also on the occasion of the completion, very recently, of six decades of diplomatic relations, that we signed a few minutes ago two important documents, which demonstrate our common commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations:

• The first of the two is the Strategic Framework for Cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation for the three years 2022-2024, which is a renewal of the Joint Action Plan that was in force until recently, between the governments of the two countries and defines their essence. objectives of our cooperation on a wide range of issues.
• The second we signed is the agreement between the governments of Cyprus and Russia for Cooperation during Humanitarian Operations in the Event of Crisis Management Situations, which predetermines the way in which the two countries will cooperate in cases of crises that will necessitate an evacuation. our citizens from third countries “, he continued.

“As far as our discussion and especially the Cyprus, I expressed the appreciation of the Republic of Cyprus for the long-standing attitude of the Russian Federation, in particular within the UN Security Council, the clear position for the abolition of the anachronistic system of Guarantees of 1960, but also the clear approach in relation to the intended goal of resolving the Cyprus problem that can not escape the agreed framework of the bi-zonal bi-communal federation. I conveyed our hope and expectation that the United Nations Security Council would play a leading role in the ongoing efforts to resume substantive talks, always on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions, and called on the Minister to contribute in this direction.

We also discussed illegal and provocative actions of Turkey in the enclosed area of ​​Famagusta which is in stark contrast to the relevant Security Council resolutions. Actions that continue, despite the explicit position of the House through the Presidential Declaration of 23 July to reverse the illegal decisions of Turkey related to Famagusta. The complete discrediting by Ankara of the decisions of the Security Council, and consequently of the members of the Council, is something that we believe should seriously concern the Council itself and in particular its permanent members.

During our contacts, I also had the opportunity to report on the situation at Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and ongoing provocative, illegal actions by Turkey“, which violate every principle of international law, operate negatively in the effort to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and undermine stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean”, Mr. Christodoulidis pointed out.

“We also exchanged views with Mr Lavrov on EU-Russia relations. It is an indisputable fact that there are challenges, difficulties and different approaches, but at the same time we have a common belief that cooperation is necessary in order to be able to successfully meet and face significant international challenges. It is important and necessary to have a continuous dialogue and communication, as this is the only way to deal with any disagreements and / or different approaches “.

The two men also discussed “the regional and international developments and the wider geopolitical situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa. We exchanged views on other regional and international issues through an honest and open dialogue. The question in all cases is that prospects are created for achieving conditions of stability and security, always on the basis of International Law and without zero-sum approaches “.

Concluding, Mr. Christodoulidis thanked Mr. Lavrov for “the very constructive and substantive discussions” and expressed the belief that the results of his visit to Moscow “confirm the strong and lasting ties of friendship between our peoples, as well as the high level of bilateral relations.” our relations “.