Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva had a phone conversation with Head of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Kyriacos Kouros.
Ihor Zhovkva thanked Cyprus for its unwavering policy of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and solidarity with our country in the context of the recent escalation in eastern Ukraine. It was noted that so far the Russian Federation has withdrawn only a small part of its troops and assets from the Ukrainian borders and from the temporarily occupied Crimea, so the further development of the situation needs close attention from Ukraine's international partners.
In the context of the exchange of views on the settlement of the Cyprus issue, Ihor Zhovkva reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to the UN Security Council resolutions on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus and our country's support for the UN efforts to resolve the situation peacefully.
"Our countries know from their own experience what the challenge of the temporary occupation of part of the territory is and how much effort is needed for a peaceful settlement," said the Deputy Head of the President's Office.
The interlocutors discussed further steps aimed to develop political dialogue, in particular at the highest level, as well as ways to intensify bilateral cooperation. The results of the second meeting of the Ukraine-Cyprus Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Industrial Cooperation, which took place in late April after a long break, were positively noted.
Ihgor Zhovkva informed Kyriacos Kouros about the goals of the Ukrainian initiative to create a Crimean platform and the situation in the temporarily occupied Crimea. He expressed hope that President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will be able to visit Ukraine to participate in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform and ceremonial events marking the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
During the conversation, special attention was paid to topical issues of Ukraine's European integration.
The parties also exchanged views on the epidemic situation in Ukraine and Cyprus and the prospects for the resumption of tourist trips between the two countries.