Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-10-07

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] MEDVEDEV - CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] CYPRUS - RUSSIA - BUSINESS

[03] CYPRUS - RUSSIA - AGREEMENTS

[04] LIMNITIS - OPENING

[01] MEDVEDEV - CYPRUS ISSUE

Speaking at a joint press conference on Thursday with President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, President Medvedev said the aim was for Cyprus to remain a united state with a single sovereignty and a single international personality.

President Medvedev, who is the first Russian President to visit Cyprus, noted that the peoples of Russia and Cyprus are linked by history and true friendship, and expressed hope that his visit would contribute to strengthening ties between the two countries.

President Christofias pointed out that the support of the Russian Federation, one of the permanent members of the Security Council, is invaluable, and thanked President Medvedev for the principled position of the Russian Federation on the Cyprus problem, which is founded on the respect of international law, the UN Charter and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

He added that with President Medvedev he had the opportunity to discuss the main aspects of their cooperation and to set plans for the future.

In his opening remarks at the press conference, President Medvedev, who was speaking through an interpreter, said his visit was a milestone in the relations of the two countries, because it marked 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Russia, and because it was the first official visit of a Russian President to the island.

``We did much today and I hope we will continue at this good rate. We already have a large result, this large package of bilateral documents that have just been signed. Among them are great bilateral documents, such as the Joint Action Plan for three years, which describes almost all directions of cooperation between Russia and Cyprus. There are many documents, such as the Joint Declaration of the Presidents of Russia and Cyprus to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the allied victory, which signify and symbolise the common positions of the two countries regarding international issues,`` he said.

He added that the Russian citizens love Cyprus and visit it, not only for tourism but for business activities, ``because Cyprus offers such potential.``

``Today many financial documents were signed, such as the protocol that amends our agreement for avoiding double taxation, and it is an important document for our economic relations,`` he said.

He added that the volume of bilateral exchanges was growing and with President Christofias ``we discussed the potential of expanding business transactions.``

``Our cooperation in the financial sector is growing dynamically,`` he said, adding that proof was the presence of ``so many representatives of Russian companies.``

President Medvedev noted that he would be participating along with President Christofias in another important event, the inauguration of the new branch of the largest bank in Russia, which would facilitate not only bilateral transactions but natural persons, the Cypriot citizens.

``Of course, we also discussed international issues, such as regional problems and international challenges, especially the Cyprus problem,`` he added.

President Medvedev noted that he assured President Christofias that ``the position of Russia on the Cyprus problem remains unchanged and we are in favour of a solution without outside pressure,`` adding that ``the aim is a united state with a single sovereignty and a single international identity.``

He added that the people of Russia and Cyprus are linked by history and true friendship, spiritual unity and a mutual interest, and expressed hope that his visit ``will contribute to developing the friendly relations between our countries.``

President Christofias welcomed the Russian President with ``feelings of great sentiment, appreciation and honest friendship.``

``Your historic visit to our island seals 50 years of excellent relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation and constitutes an important milestone, which will hereafter determine the course of the relations between our two countries,`` he said.

He added that they had the opportunity ``to discuss the main aspects of our cooperation and to set our plans for the future,`` adding that ``the results of our negotiations are reflected in the documents which were signed today, including the Common Declaration on the occasion of the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Allied Victory.``

President Christofias noted that ``these documents mark a new impetus in the wide-ranging cooperation of our two countries in the political, economic and cultural fields.``

``The thirteen Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding are sealed by the Strategy document we signed with President Medvedev, and which determines our joint action for the next three years in all fields, without exception, at the bilateral and the multilateral levels. It is worth mentioning that for the drafting of this document all the Ministries and Services of the Republic of Cyprus efficiently worked together with the 43 respective Services and Ministries of the Russian Federation,`` he said.

President Christofias noted with satisfaction that ``a great momentum is being developed to strengthen and expand our present ties in the fields of economy, commerce, tourism and investments by both Russian and Cypriot businessmen,`` adding that the Cyprus-Russia Business Forum was also being held on Thursday in Nicosia, ``with great success and with the participation of a large number of Russian businessmen who arrived from Russia, taking opportunity of President Medvedev`s visit to Cyprus.``

He also pointed out that ``the signing of the Protocol of the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation also constitutes an important development, which will assist in the further improvement of economic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation.``

Referring to the Cyprus problem, President Christofias said that ``from this podium, I take the opportunity to express once again the deep gratitude of the people of Cyprus for the principled position of the Russian Federation on the Cyprus problem, which is founded on the respect of international law, the UN Charter and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.``

He added that ``the genuine interest of Russia in the Cyprus problem and its concrete support to reach a mutually acceptable solution, in the interest of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, is clearly stated in the Three-Year Action Plan we signed today with President Medvedev.``

``In this Action Plan, we express support for the efforts towards a solution of the Cyprus problem, without arbitration and artificial timetables. A solution which foresees the evolution of the unitary state into a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single indivisible sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality, and which incorporates political equality as defined in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. For us, the support of the Russian Federation, one of the permanent members of the Security Council, is invaluable,`` he pointed out.

President Christofias said they also discussed President Medvedev`s proposal for a New European Security Treaty, adding that ``we reaffirmed the positive evaluation of the Republic of Cyprus regarding this proposal and together with the Russian President expressed our support for a constructive, equal-footed cooperation with our respective partners, with the aim to create an open-for-all and reliable system of comprehensive security in the Euro-Atlantic region.``

``We further established with President Medvedev either a concurrence or a convergence of views on all the issues of international affairs and expressed our political will to continue our constructive cooperation in all fora,`` he said.

President Christofias congratulated ``all those who assisted in making this historic visit a success, both from the Cypriot and also from the Russian side.``

``On behalf of the people of Cyprus, I wish to once again express my gratitude for the stable, consistent, principled support of the Russian Federation to our struggle to defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. I wish the people of Russia a bright future, a future of prosperity and social progress and to you personally, good health, strength and wisdom to succeed in your difficult mission,`` he concluded.

[02] CYPRUS - RUSSIA - BUSINESS

Speaking at the Cyprus-Russia Business Forum in Nicosia, the two Presidents referred to the importance of the agreements and memoranda signed earlier.

Special reference was made to the agreement to avoid double taxation. President Christofias noted that the agreement provides an impetus in the ongoing efforts to deepen the two countries cooperation.

President Mendvedev described the agreement as very important, since Cyprus constitutes one of the most important channels of investment in the Russian economy.

[03] CYPRUS - RUSSIA - AGREEMENTS

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and President Medvedev signed a three-year joint Action Plan and a Joint Declaration to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Allied Victory.

A series of agreements, protocols and memoranda of understanding were also signed.

[04] LIMNITIS - OPENING

According to the announcement, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will deliver short remarks at the event, followed by a remark by the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, the Ambassador of the United States of America Frank Urbanic, UNDP RBEC [Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS States] Deputy Director Haoliang Xu, and the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser, Alexander Downer.

The event includes a ribbon cutting and then a visit to the coffee shops in the village of Limnitis, at the north occupied areas and Kato Pyrgos by the two leaders and other officials.

The crossing point was under construction in Kato Pyrgos/Limnitis, on the northwest, where a 5.7 klm road is been constructed.

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