Greece, Russia and Cyprus reiterate opposition to Kosovo’s independence
The positions of Russia and Cyprus on Kosovo and other international issues are very close or coincide, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated after his meeting with his Cyrpriot counterpart Dimitris Christofias on Wednesday
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Thursday, November 20, 2008
"The positions of Russia and Cyprus on other international issues are very close or coincide...This is related to European problems, international issues, such as the Kosovo issue, the situation in the Balkans, the Russia-EU relations. We discussed all of those issues," the Russian president stressed.
The Russian president also said that Moscow calls for a peaceful settlement of all these disputes in compliance with the norms of international law and for strengthening institutions on which the system of international relations is based, primarily the UN.
Meanwhile, Greek Ambassador to Belgrade Christos Panagopoulos said on Wednesday that the stand of the Greek government and Foreign Ministry on Kosovo has not changed and that Greece will not recognize Kosovo, in line with the respect of territorial integrity of states.
He said that the Pristina daily Koha Ditore has misquoted Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis as saying that Athens will allegedly recognize Kosovo soon.
"Greece will not recognize Kosovo any time soon, in keeping with respect of territorial integrity of states", he reiterated.
"Any wrong interpretation or undue tension should be avoided, as Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis told Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic when he visited Athens one week ago", he said.
Albanian TV Vision reported and Koha Ditore cited its report alleging that Bakoyannis announced recognition of Kosovo. This report was denied by the Greek Foreign Ministry.
