President of the Republic accepted the credentials of Leonidas S. Markides, the Ambassador of Cyprus to Estonia, in Kadriorg at noon today.

Presenting his credentials, the Ambassador of Cyprus emphasised the similarity of the two countries, as well as common outlook for the future. Also the co-operation in the accession process to the European Union is a good cornerstone for development of relations between the two countries.

President of the Republic recognised Cyprus's success in the EU accession negotiations. Estonia is content with the mutual co-operation in the 5+1 group, and wishes to continue this constructive dialogue.

Ambassador Markides told President of the Republic briefly about the negotiations for the reuniting of Cyprus and hoped that as the relations between Greece and Turkey are improving and also Turkey has been invited to the EU accession negotiations, the prospects for solving the problem look brighter. President Meri also assumed that the new circumstances might bring a breakthrough in the solution of this 25-year-old problem.


President of the Republic introduced Ambassador Markides to his vision of the situation in Russia and Chechnya, and was also interested in the positions of Cyprus. Ambassador Markides confirmed that Cyprus does not agree with the use of force in Chechnya and considers it important that military action should be terminated and the search for peaceful solutions begun.

Ambassador Markides resides in Helsinki, where the Embassy of Cyprus was opened in May last year. Earlier, the Ambassador of Cyprus used to reside in Stockholm.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, January 20, 2000

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