"Cyprus, having joined the anti-Russian sanctions and closing the skies to Russian aircraft, has lost over 1 billion euros," said the Russian ambassador to Cyprus, Murat Zyazikov, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
"Unfortunately, direct flights between our countries have been suspended, as a result of which about 800 thousand Russians are actually missing from the island. According to the statistical service of the republic, the expenses of a tourist in 2022 amounted to €88 per day (although Russians, due to the broad "Russian soul" "They spent much more). at least 1 billion euros from the loss of the Russian part," Zyazikov said, noting that the situation is now "slowly leveling off."
The diplomat noted that one of the main sources of income for KD is tourism, while the flow of Russian tourists to Cyprus has almost disappeared. "Russians arriving here from third countries increasingly prefer to relax in the northern part of the island, which is under the control of the Turkish Cypriots, where the hotel and transport infrastructure is developing rapidly and prices are lower," added Zyazikov.
«H Nicosia plays Western games"
Among other things, he noted that the intense dynamics of the internal political events on the island, the foreign political activity of Nicosia in the Eastern Mediterranean region "and, unfortunately, its involvement in the anti-Russian games of the West could not but affect our bilateral cooperation in some sectors".
"It is obvious that this situation is politically motivated and, in fact, imposed by the European Union. Otherwise, it is difficult to explain from the point of view of elementary logic why it voluntarily takes measures that cause enormous damage to its own economy and endanger its entire industry (I mean, first of all, tourism). However, it is impossible to ban everything, especially when people have a deep need, and most importantly, a great desire to cooperate and develop the rich historical potential of Russian-Cypriot interaction."
"In the current conditions, when our trade, economic and investment ties are suffering mainly due to sanctions, some Russian companies have managed to adapt to the new realities and continue to operate successfully on the island. At the same time, we are trying to pay more attention to the implementation of projects in the field of culture and strengthening the position of the Russian language on the island. It is gratifying to see that many Cypriots maintain a keen interest in studying our traditions, art, literature and cinema […]. I am convinced that such a creative message will not be subject to momentary opportunistic influences or shameless attempts from abroad to ``abolish the Russian world.''
"Cypriots are warm and welcoming"
"We are well aware of the rejection by the majority of Cypriot citizens of the anti-Russian bacchanalia unleashed by the West, even without reference to sociological surveys. Speaking without exaggeration, ordinary Cypriots demonstrate a truly warm and welcoming attitude towards Russians and Russian culture literally everywhere, from everyday communication with us to the walls of government institutions," he added.
"We are certainly disappointed that Nicosia is applying illegal EU sanctions against our country, which - and this is already obvious not only to diplomats and economists, but also to ordinary people - have hit hard the financial and banking sector of the island itself . The government of the Russian Federation has determined a list of states that are not friendly to Russia, that is, those that have introduced illegal restrictions against it. Let me remind you that according to the updated "Concept of Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation" approved by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 31, 2023, Russia's foreign policy is peaceful, open, predictable, consistent, realistic ».
"It is obvious that during the long history of diplomatic relations and nine centuries of interaction at the official level between our countries, Russia and Cyprus have never considered each other as enemies. I'm sure they won't do that in the future. The Cypriot people have always been, are and will remain friendly and fraternal with us. This is based on the mutual sympathy of ordinary people, on close historical, spiritual and cultural ties developed over the centuries. I do not think that any temporary political ups and downs or the unfortunate myopia of the powers that be succumbing to anti-Russian hysteria are capable of destroying this friendship. Every crisis is finite. I am sure that our relations with Cyprus will not be built "from scratch", but will be based on the rich experience of mutually beneficial cooperation that has been accumulated over decades for the benefit of our peoples"
Reference to a new President of the Republic
To a question regarding the election of Nikos Christodoulidis to the Presidency of the Republic, Mr. Zyazikov replied "At all the highest levels, we initially declared our commitment to the continuity and stability of bilateral relations between Russia and the Republic of Cyprus, as well as respect for territorial integrity of the island based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council. After the victory of Nikos Christodoulidis in the elections in February of this year, as head of the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation, he sincerely congratulated him. I repeat: we are disappointed by Nicosia's position on joining the illegal EU sanctions. We hope that the leadership of the republic will have enough political insight and the will to maintain the accumulated enormous potential of traditionally respectful and constructive interaction with Russia.
As for the settlement of the Cyprus issue, it is a delicate, complex matter. The Russian Federation's approaches to solving this issue remain unchanged. We firmly support a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement within the recognized international legal framework enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions. At the same time, we consider it important that the final decision be made by the islanders themselves, taking into account the interests and fair concerns of both communities, regardless of who takes what initiatives. I find it unacceptable to externally impose specific time frames and ready-made "recipes" on them, and much more to pressure them to accept this or that option.
Russia, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, traditionally contributes to the implementation of constructive steps to achieve such an outcome in the Cyprus region, which will create conditions for stability and productive development of the island for the benefit of the peoples who live here. For my part, I am also open to meetings and dialogue with the leaders of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots if they have the appropriate interest.
On upgrading relations with a pseudo-state
Asked about reports of establishing official relations with the pseudo-state and "betrayal of Cypriot interests", the Russian Ambassador replied: "You are right, indeed some media periodically try to promote the narrative about Russia's alleged readiness to change the known its position on the settlement of the Cyprus issue. Such speculations and provocative statements do not reflect reality and pursue the sole goal – to question our country's proven approaches to local and international conflict resolution, based on strict adherence to the norms of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Let me emphasize: we have never questioned the basic tenets of the peaceful solution of the Cyprus issue. It is obvious that Russia is developing and ready to improve partnership relations with all states that are open to establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial cooperation, in respectful, constructive dialogue on a wide range of issues, taking into account the national interests of both sides. Our interaction with Turkey is built on these foundations, which was confirmed during the recent September meeting in Sochi between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Erdogan, which was widely covered, including in Cyprus. Consequently, it cannot a priori be directed against anyone or at the expense of relations with other countries.
Warning in Nicosia about weapons Ukraine
Finally, when asked about local opinion polls showing the majority of Cypriots opposing Nicosia's participation in EU sanctions against Russia, the Russian Ambassador said: "What is important is the genuinely benevolent, welcoming and interesting attitude towards the Russians and the Russian culture that the residents of Cyprus show when they communicate with us. As for the official authorities of the island, in conditions of close "guardianship" from abroad, it is now really difficult to maintain historically close and constructive relations with our country. Understanding this, however, in the issue of the transfer of Russian military equipment and ammunition to Ukraine, we proceed from the axiom of strict compliance by Nicosia not only with contractual obligations to Russian manufacturers, but also with European legislation prohibiting the export of arms to war zone. Of course, such a step would have inevitable negative consequences for Russian-Cypriot relations. We have communicated this to the Cypriot leadership and expect to maintain a rational approach to this matter. Moreover, the Cypriot people, who have always been distinguished for their wisdom, understood the essence of what was happening in Ukraine without external indications."
Source: Protothema.gr