Monday, 20 May 2013
1. Written statement by the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades – 18.05.2013
In response to all the concerns and other comments that are expressed with regard to the document of convergences or divergences for the years 2008-2012, I wish to state the following:

(a) The document was not submitted by the UN Secretary General Special Adviser on Cyprus, but instead was given to me upon my request, certainly not for it to constitute the basis for the resumption of the talks from the point they broke off, but in order for the Greek Cypriot side, at the stage of good preparation, to be in a position to know how it will withdraw, with seriousness and documentation all those proposals considered unacceptable by the majority of the people and the political leadership.

(b) My position is well-known that, despite the desire for the resumption of the talks as soon as possible, this is impossible to take place at the present time, because both me and my Government are focusing our attention on facing all the problems that the economic crisis has accumulated, something that is acceptable by all the parties involved, including the United Nations.

(c) At the same time I consider any confrontations unnecessary and purposeless, since a new Meeting of the National Council has already been set for the 15th of June, during which I will present, on the basis of my pre-election program, comprehensive proposals that will concern not only the newly upgraded role of the National Council, the appointment of a negotiator, the working groups and experts, the preparation of a comprehensive framework of proposals, but also the new process which will have to be agreed upon before the start of any new round of talks.

2. Statements by the Government Spokesman regarding the upcoming meeting of the President of the Republic with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community – 17.05.2013
The Government’s position is that the meeting of the President of the Republic with the leader of Turkish Cypriot community Mr Dervis Eroglu, over dinner on 29 May, is clearly of a social nature, the Government Spokesman Mr Christos Stylianides said today.

In his statements to the Press, at the Presidential Palace, Mr Stylianides said: “The Government wishes to stress that the upcoming meeting between President Anastasiades and Mr Eroglu will be a meeting of a social nature.

This is the type of the meeting which was agreed on. This is what the President of the Republic and the Government agreed on for the meeting to be accepted and wish for it to remain as a meeting of a social nature.”

Asked about the content of the President’s letter towards the UN Secretary General and whether there is a reference in it that some circles are trying to change the social nature of the meeting, Mr Stylianides underlined that “if the Government wanted to publicize details of the letter, it would have. The Government’s position is that the meeting between President Anastasiades and Mr Eroglu is of social nature.”

3. The Minister of Foreign Affairs to participate in the General Affairs Council of the EU in Brussels
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, departs today for Brussels to participate in the deliberations of the General Affairs Council (GAC) of the European Union, to be held tomorrow, Tuesday, 21 May 2013.

During the GAC, Ministers will discuss the Multiannual Financial Framework, and they will prepare the upcoming Summit of the May European Council.

After the conclusion of the GAC, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will remain in Brussels, in order to accompany the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, at his meetings with the President of the European Council, Mr Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Commission, Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, and the President of the European Parliament, Mr Martin Schultz.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs will return to Cyprus on Thursday, 23 May.

4. Government Spokesman’s written statement on the Greek Pontiac Genocide
Today the Greek nation remembers and honors the 19th of May, as the Day of Remembrance of the Greek Genocide in Pontus of Asia Minor.

This day is a stigma in the history of civilized humanity which points out to all of us that the only way to achieve respect in human rights and peaceful coexistence is through cooperation between the peoples, upon which stability and prosperity are founded.

This is a day for recollection and taking responsibility, a day that sends the message against ethnic cleansing.

5. The Minister of Defence visited a Russian ship at Limassol port
The Minister of Defence, Mr Fotis Fotiou, accompanied by the ambassador of Russia, Mr Vyacheslav D. Shumski, visited in the early afternoon of 18 May, a Russian warship “Admiral Panteleyiev”. Upon his arrival, the Minister was honored by a military contingent and then he was toured on the ship where he was informed about its capabilities.

After his visit, the Minister of Defence made statements to the press saying that his visit to the ship, which is property of the Russian navy, was made following an invitation by the ambassador of Russia.

Referring to his forthcoming visit to Moscow and the meeting he will have with the Russian Defence Minister, Mr Fotiou said that he will have the opportunity to discuss a number of matters of bilateral relations, regarding the two ministries in particular. It is the aim of both countries to be pioneers in matters of security and peace in the region, he said.

“You do realize that the developments in the region are very fragile and that such cooperations promote security and peace in the region. You also understand that such visits from such countries – and we have had in the past visits from other important countries like the USA, Germany, Spain, France – underline the important geostrategic and geopolitical role of Cyprus. This is a decisive factor”, said the Minister.

Asked whether the port of Limassol will offer facilitations to Russia in view of the situation in Syria, the Minister replied that he does not believe that there is any problem in providing facilitations by the Republic of Cyprus. “Such facilitations are offered to other countries as well. We have not discussed anything else further to this. But, Cyprus will continue to provide facilitations of this kind within the framework of its important role in the region.”

Asked whether during his visit to the ship he discussed his upcoming visit to Moscow, Mr Fotiou said that he will have the chance to discuss this at a meeting he will have with the Ambassador on Tuesday, at his office.

Asked about the content of his visit to Moscow, the Minister said that he considers this meeting to be of decisive importance as it will be the first after many years. “Some agreements, are on the way”, he added, “which must be materialized, and there are some other agreements which must be signed at some point. There are pending matters with regard to our region. So, as you see, there are many matters to be discussed.”

Asked to comment on the recent statements made by the Russian Minister of Defence regarding the presence of Russia in the region, Mr Fotiou said: “I believe that any country wants to safeguard its own interests. This is a question you must ask the Russians”, he said. And he pointed out that “We must safeguard our own interests.”

“Russia has always been a friendly country to Cyprus. Russia supports our positions on our national problem. Russia is a liable and steady ally and this should remain so”, he said.

6. Defence Minister departs for Moscow
The Minister of Defence Mr Fotis Fotiou departs on 22 May for Moscow where he will have a meeting with his Russian counterpart Mr Sergei Shoigu.

During the meeting, issues of common interest will be discussed, while views will be exchanged on matters regarding the bilateral relations of the two countries, with special emphasis on security and defence, as well as on the developments in the Middle East.

The Minister of Defence will also meet with the Chairman of the Committee on Defence of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Mr Vladimir Komoedov.

In the framework of his visit to Moscow, Mr Fotiou will address the International Conference “European Security: Military and Political Approach”, entitled: “On the way to the European Council (Dec 2013): Cyprus perspectives”, which is organized by the Russian Ministry of Defence. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mr Sergey Lavrov, Defence Ministers of other countries, the OSCE Secretary General Mr Lambersto Zannier, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mr Alexander Vershbow and other experts on issues of security and defence were, inter alia, invited to the Conference.

The Minister of Defence returns to Cyprus on 24 May.