All news

Russia interested in close cooperation with Cyprus – Russian ForMin

Russia is interested in close and fruitful cooperation with Cyprus on the basis of sincere friendship, mutual sympathy and common interests

NICOSIA, November 9 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia is interested in close and fruitful cooperation with Cyprus on the basis of sincere friendship, mutual sympathy and common interests, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a message on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus-Russia Friendship Association.

The message was read out on Tuesday at an event dedicated to the celebrations of the anniversary, in Nicosia, by the deputy director of the Organization for International Cooperation in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgy Muradov.

“Our course towards enhanced multilateral cooperation is a guarantee for strengthening relations between our countries and our peoples and consolidating peace and stability in Europe and the Mediterranean,” the message said.

The event was attended by Cyprus’ President Demetris Christofias, official of the Cyprus president’s administration, Russian ambassador to Cyprus Vyacheslav Shumsky, and others.

In his message, the Russian foreign minister congratulated the Cyprus-Russian Association on the jubilee and said the establishment of the Association was made possible after the two countries has established diplomatic relations in 1960, which opened a new page in the enhancement of deep historical ties between our peoples.

“Over all these years, the Association has helped to promote the dynamic and multilateral relations between Russia and Cyprus. It plays an important role in the promotion of a humanitarian dialogue,” the message said. “I am confident that its activity will further encourage bilateral exchanges, and promote new formats and way of cooperation.”

Addressing the meeting, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias stressed that his country’ government attached great significance to the development of comprehensive ties and relations of friendship between the Republic of Cyprus and Russia.

“We shall continue building our relations on a solid base laid down fifty years ago,” Christofias stressed. “Our goal is to develop bilateral relations cemented by sincere time-tested friendship and solidarity.”

The Cyprus president thanked Russia for its efforts as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council aimed at defending independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of his country.

According to Christofias, the cooperation between the two countries is not confined merely to the political sphere. They maintain dynamically developing ties in such areas as finance and investments, tourism, trade, and culture. He also praised the activity of the 60,000-strong Russian-speaking community in Cyprus.