There is only one Cyprus and an illegal occupation of part of its territory, an occupation which we will never recognise as legal, new Ambassador of Serbia in Nicosia Suzana Boškovic-Prodanovic has told CNA.
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, she stressed that the two countries support each other especially when it comes to protecting their main national interests and said that a bilateral meeting between the Presidents of Cyprus and Serbia is expected to take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
“We sincerely hope that the efforts of President Christodoulides and other Cypriot politicians will bear fruit and that negotiations between the two communities will continue this autumn”, she said, stressing that there are clear frameworks provided by numerous binding resolutions of the UN Security Council, ‘which form the basis for the Cyprus solution”.
The Ambassador told CNA that the full accession of her country to the EU remains the main priority of its foreign po
licy, adding that Serbia enjoys the full support of the Republic of Cyprus in this goal.
Referring to the situation in Kosovo and Metohija she said that it is worsening and expressed gratitude to Nicosia for supporting Belgrade in all international fora on the issue.
Asked about the bilateral relations, she said that “the traditional values in our societies are also based on the common Orthodox tradition’ adding that political leaders cultivate close contact and mutual trust, appear together at regional and international for a and pointed out “we expect our Presidents to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.”
“We support each other especially when it comes to protecting core national interests’ she stressed.
Noting that there is always room for improvement of bilateral cooperation, she said that there is a desire on both sides to implement as many concrete projects as possible that will be visible and useful to citizens – in the field of trade and economy throug
h direct investments, in the field of culture , education, scientific research and defense and security.
She expressed satisfaction with the fact that the number of Serbian tourists in Cyprus is increasing and said that Serbia would like to see more Cypriot tourists in its Serbian spas and mountains.
The Ambassador said that Belgrade will host the International Exhibition 2027 and expressed hope that Cyprus will have a national pavilion “worthy of the reputation it has in Serbia”.
Regarding the Cyprus issue, she expressed hope that the Cyprus talks will resume in Autumn.
“We sincerely hope that the efforts of President Christodoulides and other Cypriot politicians will bear fruit and that negotiations between the two communities will continue this autumn. A status quo that lasts for a long time does not benefit anyone,” she stressed.
Asked about her country’s position on the Cyprus issue, she said “with all the historical and political complexity of the Cyprus issue, this question is relatively simple fo
r my country. For the Republic of Serbia there is only one Cyprus and there is an illegal occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, an occupation which we will never recognize as legal”.
There are, she stressed, clear frameworks provided by numerous binding resolutions of the UN Security Council, ‘which form the basis for the Cyprus solution – a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as a unique international legal entity, and, of course, the withdrawal of the occupying military forces from the territory of the Republic of Cyprus’.
Asked about Serbia’s EU accession path, she said that the full accession constitutes the main priority of her country and expressed her gratitude towards Cyprus for its support.
The Ambassador stressed that the administration, the legal system, the economy and the non-governmental sector have been working intensively for two decades on comprehensive reforms that will enable the adoption of the European acquis as well as the preparation of its institutions for equal
participation in decision-making processes within the EU.
However, she pointed out, ‘it is no secret that the accession process has its ups and downs and that the general opinion in Serbia is that it is taking too long and that the EU has not had the so-called absorptive capacity to welcome new members for many years, which is causing public enthusiasm to wane in all Western Balkan countries”.
What is needed, she continued, is “additional political courage of the EU member states and the realization that the project of a united Europe is not complete without the Western Balkans”.
He said that Serbia is a European country in every respect, both geographically, historically and culturally.
“We don’t expect to get anything from the EU, especially not something we don’t deserve, on the contrary we believe that we can cooperate and contribute to the EU at the economic and political level, as well as in the field of security,” she pointed out.
The Ambassador was also asked about the situation in Kosovo and Met
ohija, saying that “since February 2021, when the so-called Prime Minister Albin Kurti took power, the situation is worse, and in recent months an additional escalation has been observed.” She added that “the number of ethnically motivated attacks against the remaining Serbs has increased to 540 incidents in the last three years” saying that “the Kurti regime is making unilateral, uncoordinated moves, which are completely outside the framework of the Brussels dialogue and completely undermine its credibility”.
Unfortunately, the Ambassador said, Serbia feels that in recent years it is alone at the negotiating table and that its constructive approach is pointless. She recalled a recent statement by President Aleksandar Vucic who said that in the coming period Serbia expects a serious reset of the dialogue and a suspension of unilateral uncoordinated measures taken by the Pristina.
“We are deeply grateful to the Republic of Cyprus for the consistent support it offers us regarding Kosovo and Metohija in all re
levant international fora, especially within the UN, the EU and the Council of Europe,” she underlined.
Asked about her country’s position on Ukraine, she said that they recognize Ukraine’s right to sovereignty and fully respect of its territorial integrity and are constantly sending humanitarian aid and taking in refugees who have asked for protection.
“As a nation that has gone through the ravages of war, we are deeply saddened by the magnitude of the suffering,” she noted.
The Ambassador said that Serbia supports the immediate cessation of military operations and the start of diplomatic negotiations to consolidate peace.
“Serbia did not impose sanctions on the Russian Federation again based on its own historical experience, because sanctions always damage those who have the least or no influence on political decision-making”, she concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.
The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency