Russia believes Cyprus doesn't need guarantor powers

The most effective way to safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus could come from the UN Security Council itself, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.

Speaking after talks in Moscow with his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides, Lavrov said the system of guarantees is anachronistic and is inconsistent with the modern world.

He also described Cyprus as an important partner of Russia in the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe.

Developments regarding the Cyprus talks and the Turkish provocations in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone were among the issues discussed in Moscow between Christodoulides and Lavrov.

Lavrov said the Russian Federation greatly appreciates its relations with Cyprus which are based on excellent cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and other fields.

Speaking through an interpreter, Lavrov said that there is a constructive dialogue between the two countries both on international and European matters.

The Cypriot Minister said Russia, as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council and its ties with Turkey, “can help in resuming the dialogue” for a Cyprus solution.

Regarding EU-Russian relations, he said that solutions can only be found through dialogue.

"It is crucial that there is a continued dialogue and exchange of views so that we can see how disagreements can be dealt with and how to create prospects to normalise them, and on the other hand, how we work together to address a variety of international problems, common challenges, such as terrorism," said Christodoulides.

He said that Cyprus is an “important partner of Russia in the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe”.

He also said it is a common desire to strengthen and boost economic relations while there is progress in strengthening these relations and that many bilateral agreements are already in force.

Christodoulides said they had a “sincere and open dialogue during which a constructive, interesting and effective discussion and exchange of views was held on bilateral relations, regional issues, EU-Russian relations and of course, the Cyprus problem”.

He underlined the Republic of Cyprus’ appreciation for Moscow’s longstanding principled stance on the Cyprus problem, especially in the framework of the Security Council, as well as Russia’s clear position for the need to abolish the anachronistic system of 1960 guarantees.

Christodoulides said it is very important in the current situation that Russia supports a solution based on international law and relevant UN resolutions.

He informed Lavrov on the situation in Cyprus’ EEZ and the provocative and illegal Turkish actions that violate every international law principle and contribute negatively in finding a solution as well as undermining the stability in Eastern Mediterranean.

The Cypriot Minister also expressed the concern of the people of Cyprus over the planned construction of the nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, Turkey, which is very close to Cyprus.

Cyprus, said Christodoulides, as a neighbouring state with Syria, is concerned about the continuation of the crisis and supports unity and the country’s territorial integrity.

"We believe, he added, that a solution can come only through political dialogue."

A UN-backed Conference on Cyprus last July in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.