CYPRUS: RUSSIAN FM LAVROV PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR GOC

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000716 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV CY RU SUBJECT: CYPRUS: RUSSIAN FM LAVROV PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR GOC Classified By: DCM Jonathan R. Cohen for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Russian FM Sergey Lavrov made an official visit to Cyprus November 4-5 where he stressed the need for the two sides in Cyprus to "find the formula for a settlement to the problem themselves." Echoing Greek Cypriot political leaders, Lavrov said a settlement formula in Cyprus "must be to the best interests of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and the international community must play a facilitating role, without imposing any prescriptions or formulas and without imposing artificial timeframes." Lavrov hoped there would one day be a single state in Cyprus and expressed his gratitude to Cyprus for its role in improving overall relations between Russia and the EU. In addition, he emphasized that Turkey should fully implement and comply with UN resolutions on Cyprus. ¶2. (C) During the visit (note: widely trumpeted as lasting "two days," though the Russian Ambassador had described the substantive portion as lasting about five hours),Cypriot FM Kyprianou heralded the "excellent" relations between Cyprus and Russia, welcomed closer cooperation between the two countries, and noted the positive role that Russia has played on the UN Security Council in Cyprus's struggle for reunification. Kyprianou told the press that he and Lavrov discussed the ongoing Cyprus talks, EU-Russia relations, and regional matters such as the Middle East, Iran and energy, in addition to Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev's proposal for a new European security framework. Kyprianou and Lavrov also signed two formal agreements, one on cooperation in science, technology, and education as well as a "Plan of Consultations" between the Russian and Cypriot MFAs for the period 2010-2011. Moscow-education President Christofias said after his meeting with Lavrov that Russia and Cyprus shared a "full convergence of views." Plans are reportedly underway for a 2010 Medvedev visit. ¶3. (SBU) Overall media coverage of Lavrov's trip was overwhelmingly positive, with headlines such as "Everlasting Support: One state must be the result from the solution of the Cyprus problem" (Haravgi) and "Excellent: Lavrov (says) Turkey must fully implement UN Resolutions" (Alithia). The Greek-Cypriot daily Phileleftheros highlighted Lavrov's statement that Moscow would not permit any changes to the terms of UNFICYP's mission and would help prevent any "behind-the-scenes diversions from the agreed principles of the negotiations." URBANCIC