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Diplomat slams Malta’s refusal to let Russian planes fly through its airspace

Maria Zakharova stressed that Malta had refused to issue a permit for Russian aircraft without providing any reasons

YALTA, April 18. /TASS/. Moscow views Malta’s refusal to allow Russian aircraft to use its airspace to fly to Venezuela as an unfriendly move, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday.

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"The Maltese authorities’ decision is out of tune with the standard practice and has certain unfriendly implications. We can state that as well. Russia will certainly take it [this move] into consideration in our bilateral relations with Valletta," she said.

The incident occurred on April 4. Russia asked for Malta’s formal permission to use its airspace for flights to Venezuela. However, Moscow’s request was denied.

Zakharova stressed that Malta had refused to issue a permit for Russian aircraft without providing any reasons.

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