Cyprus-Russia: Together Against US?

• 03.05.2015, 18:28
•  Europe,  America,  World

Russia will develop dialogue with Cyprus the way it sees fit, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich announced, euronews reports. Commenting on the US "attack" on Cyprus in regard with Cyprus President visit to Moscow, Lukashevich mentioned that "the attacks were not only after the visit, but also before the trip of the President of Cyprus to Russia," CypLive reports citing Tass.

Meanwhile, the recent visit of the President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades was seen as a breakthrough in Russian-Cypriot bilateral relations. In Moscow, President of Cyprus signed a number of important documents. Particularly a memorandum was signed between the Invest in Russia agency and the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries signed a 2015-2018 program of bilateral cooperation in science, education and culture, intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in countering illicit drug trafficking and terrorism. However, the most important document signed by the sides is the one which gives the Russian military vessels the right to enter the ports of Cyprus while performing humanitarian, anti-piracy and search and rescue operations.

It is exactly this agreement that caused tension between the US and Cyprus. In particular, as noted by the Russian media, the government of Cyprus underwent unprecedented pressure from the United States after the document was signed, giving Russian Navy an opportunity to enter the Limassol port. As a result, the Foreign Minister of Cyprus sharply criticized the US and the EU, accusing the United States and Britain for "ignoring the interests of Cyprus."

In its turn the Russian side also presented its position on the issue. In particular, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Russia will develop a dialogue with Cyprus as it sees fit. "Everyone has their own perception of international events. We will develop this dialogue (Cyprus) as we see fit. And who does not like it - let them remain unconvinced. The caravan will go further," – Lukashevich said.