MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Russia will be doing its utmost to promote a settlement in Cyprus, but it is against setting artificial deadlines likewise attempts at dictating solutions from outside, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with the leader of the Progressive Party of Working People, Andros Kiprianou.
"We’ve always supported the implementation of the UN Security Council’s resolution on Cyprus," Lavrov said. "We believe that the Cypriot communities should have a chance to make a decision on the basis of consensus, without attempts by external players to dictate any solutions."
"We will be doing our utmost in order to help achieve a settlement. But we are against any artificial deadlines or ultimatums dictated from outside," Lavrov said.
Kiprianou thanked Russia and its foreign minister personally for assistance in efforts to achieve a solution of the problem of Cyprus. He described such assistance as crucially important.
He remarked that the negotiations on the problem were currently in a grave condition. Kiprianou stated that his party would like the Turkish side to take a stance that would contribute to settling the problem, adding it was a priority ever since 1974. He added his party would welcome any assistance for the sake of achieving that goal.