Question: What has brought you to Cyprus once more?
Ambassador Chizhov: I am here to participate in the Fourth Cyprus Summit – “Economist” Conference. Two years ago I attended a similar event in Athens. Every visit to Cyprus evokes my memories from the past. I had worked in our embassy to Cyprus for six and a half years (1985-1992), and then frequently came here as Special Envoy on the Cyprus settlement. Now I closely follow events in Cyprus and the Cyprus settlement in general from Brussels.
Question: How do you see Cyprus-Russia relations now?
Ambassador Chizhov: I think the relations are very good. The recent visit by President Medvedev to Cyprus – first in the history of bilateral relations – is significant evidence of their friendly nature. Our ties are not merely built on emotions: they are filled with important substance – both economic, something that is well known, and political. Since Cyprus joined the European Union we have been actively collaborating in this context as well.
Question: What is the role of Cyprus in the EU regarding relations with Russia?
Ambassador Chizhov: Some people used to divide EU member-states into various categories with Cyprus, alongside with two or three other countries, nicknamed Russia’s “Trojan horse” in the European Union. I can say that Cyprus is not a “Trojan horse”, but a country that is truly interested in improving not just bilateral relations with Russia, but to facilitate closer EU-Russia cooperation. I often hear that the EU lacks the ability to speak with one voice to the outside world, including Russia. I always say that I am not against the EU speaking with one voice – if that voice would reflect the views of those who are in favour of further development of our relations rather than of those who continue to proceed with their heads turned backwards.
Question: You have been closely following the Cyprus settlement for many years. Has anything changed?
Ambassador Chizhov: Yes and no. No – the conflict has not been settled yet. Yes – the efforts undertaken throughout all these years were not in vain. Direct contacts between the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the leader of Turkish-Cypriot community continue. Indeed, the problem is very complicated.
The Russian position of principle has not changed – we believe that the conflict must be settled on the basis of UN Resolutions and High Level agreements of 1977 and 1979. Our position also envisages that it should be solved by the Cypriots themselves without anything being imposed on them from outside. We adhere to such vision not only regarding the Cyprus conflict but many others as well. In today’s world no problem and no conflict can be solved by using force or imposing “faits accomplis” and recipes ready-made elsewhere. The Cyprus settlement requires political will and courage on both sides without any outside interference.
Question: Are there political will and courage in place now?
Ambassador Chizhov: I have known both leaders for almost 30 years. These are different persons. Talking about courage I mean that the settlement, whatever it is, will be a compromise. In the Cyprus conflict, as in many other conflicts, it is extremely hard for a leader to make compromise after all these years. There will always be those who have their own, quite different opinion on that compromise.
Question: You said earlier that there should be no outside interference or imposition.
Ambassador Chizhov: The United Nations are entrusted with the mission of good offices that should continue. A few years ago the European Union tried to interfere in this process. Now Brussels, perhaps, understands that its role with respect to the UN efforts is limited to a supplementary one – in economic sphere only. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council Russia is closely watching that the role of the Security Council and the United Nations is maintained and the essence of the settlement effort is not distorted.
Question: Some appear to be annoyed by the Russian position.
Ambassador Chizhov: Whatever position Russia takes on any issue, there is always someone who is annoyed.
Question: They believe that the approach Russia adheres to and its full support for the Government of Cyprus hamper decisions that could facilitate a settlement.
Ambassador Chizhov: Decisions on Cyprus problem, or on any other problem, must be supported by a majority of the population on each side in a conflict. If the settlement pattern is imposed from the outside, it will be unviable and difficult to implement.
Question: Cyprus-Russia relations have seen significant development, and beyond political sphere.
Ambassador Chizhov: Yes, they have developed much further. I believe they have reached a very high level. Cyprus may be a small country but it occupies a strategic position. Today it is a well-known financial services centre – that is an important factor. Another crucial factor is that Cyprus is the only country maintaining good relations with all of its neighbours, except for Turkey, of course. It is also widely known that Cyprus with its central position has an additional advantage – a highly educated population with a large percentage of university degree holders. Cyprus may not be an industrial power, but it has a huge “production” of highly qualified intellectual potential. The local atmosphere is very positive, friendly and favourable from the professional point of view for the Russian business community.
Question: Russia’s relations with Turkey appear to be in the centre of a wide range of discussions.
Ambassador Chizhov: Today, as we speak, Prime Minister Recep Taip Erdogan is in Moscow. We have good relations with Turkey. Our countries have achieved good cooperation in the economic sphere as well as in tourism. I can say that the advantage of Turkey over Cyprus consists in a facilitated procedure of issuing visas which are issued right at the airport upon arrival. This simplifies travels for Russian tourists. No wonder that about 2 million Russians spend their vacations in Turkey annually.
Question: Visas are not the choice of Cyprus, but a policy pursued by the European Union.
Ambassador Chizhov: As you know I was the person who exchanged verbal notes with the MFA of Cyprus on the abolition of visas. Cyprus’ membership in the EU changed the situation again. Naturally, this development produced its influence.
Question: Can this issue be resolved?
Ambassador Chizhov: Only in the Russia-EU framework. It can not be resolved bilaterally. I remember that the late President Tassos Papadopoulos made an attempt, but did not succeed. Now we are gradually moving forward, and I hope, will finally come to an agreement. Last year we managed to proceed from the initial exploratory phase and now we are at the stage of defining common steps both parties need to undertake to abolish visas. Personally, I believe that visas are an anachronism in modern Europe.
Question: What are the reasons for concerns preventing us from an agreement on visa abolition?
Ambassador Chizhov: Political ones. There are no organizational, legal or procedural hurdles. We already issue biometric passports in cooperation with the EU. Border controls are definitely secured. But this issue has a political dimension. We know which are the EU countries that are psychologically unable to change their mentality dominated by the thesis that they have joined the European Union and NATO in order to get as far away from Russia as possible.
