The President of the Republic Mr Demetris Christofias and the President of the Russian Federation Mr Dmitry Medvedev exchanged congratulatory messages yesterday on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation. In his message, President Christofias notes, inter alia, the following: “The traditional ties of friendship and the sincere sentiments of respect and solidarity between our peoples depend upon spiritual proximity and cultural affinity and they compose the axis of the multilateral relations between Cyprus and Russia. Besides, it is no coincidence that ever since the declaration of independence of the Republic of Cyprus the political ties between our countries had been very tight. Just fourteen years after its independence, the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the UN and other international organisations, became a victim of the violation of international law and the UN Charter, a victim of invasion and occupation by a neighbouring regional power. The Soviet Union, and then the Russian Federation, supported Cyprus in difficult times. It would not be a hyperbole to say that the survival of the Cyprus state is largely due to the moral support of the international community and the shielding offered by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, for the adoption of which your country played a leading role. It is with particular joy and satisfaction that I find that our bilateral relations are going through today their best phase, in all fields without exception. They blossom and expand upon the powerful foundation that had been laid in the past and they stand as an example for relations between states. Your visit to Cyprus next October constitutes the culmination of the profound Cypriot-Russian friendship. This historic visit, during which I hope we reciprocate the warm hospitality I received in Moscow in November 2008, will constitute a milestone in the further deepening and development of ties between the Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation. On behalf of the Cyprus people I express my gratitude for the firm and constant, based on principles, support of the Russian Federation to the fight we are giving to safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus”. For his part, the Russian President, Mr Medvedev, asserts the following: “It is pleasing to see that the longstanding traditions of friendship and cooperation between our countries are growing stronger and progressing. The sincere mutual sympathy and respect that our peoples feel for each other play an important part in consistent development of our bilateral political, trade, economic, and humanitarian partnership. I am sure that the talks we will hold in Cyprus in October will, as always, produce results and help to intensify our fruitful dialogue. We intend to expand our cooperation on the international stage too. In this respect, we are ready to continue joint efforts to consolidate the foundations of security and stability in Europe and the Mediterranean and help to achieve a fair and comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.”
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