Orlic receives Theophylactou

BELGRADE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Vladimir Orlic received a farewell visit from Cypriot Ambassador Demetrios Theophylactou on Wednesday.

Orlic and Theophylactou welcomed a dynamic bilateral political and parliamentary dialogue and the firm partnership between their countries, reflected in constant advancement of cooperation in all areas of interest.

A statement released by Orlic's office said the parties had reiterated that Serbia and Cyprus maintained strong mutual trust, based primarily on mutual support to the vital national interests of preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Orlic conveyed to Theophylactou Serbia's gratitude for Cyprus's principled position on non-recognition of the so-called Kosovo and for its support to Serbia, confirmed by its vote in the Council of Europe.

Orlic informed Theophylactou of the difficult situation in Kosovo-Metohija and daily threats to the security of the Serb population there.

"We are facing dangerous moves by Albin Kurti, who is now openly wishing for an armed conflict, as well as a usurpation of municipalities in northern Kosovo-Metohija that are inhabited by Serbs and their transformation into an occupation zone through the establishment of so-called local authorities without any legitimacy at all. Whoever recognises such 'authorities' supports the causing of a large conflict," Orlic said.

"The Serbs no longer reconcile to Pristina's lies about the establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities and to it ignoring and avoiding that unequivocally determined and signed commitment," Orlic said.

Theophylactou said Cyprus's position on the Kosovo-Metohija issue would not change and that Cyprus and Serbia continued to defend international public law and their national interests and red lines.