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Putin holds telephone conversation with Cyprus president

The conversation was held "on the initiative of the Cypriot side" – presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov

MOSCOW, March 20 (Itar-Tass) – President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus late on Tuesday night, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies early Wednesday.

Peskov said the conversation was held "on the initiative of the Cypriot side".

Putin congratulated his Cypriot counterpart on being elected to the presidency, Peskov said.

He pointed out that the Heads of State had discussed a whole lot of matters concerning bilateral relations, as well as a number of international problems.

"Putin reaffirmed Russia's principled position on a settlement of the Cyprus issue," Peskov said.

"During the conversation, the Heads of State also analyzed the economic situation that has taken shape in Cyprus, including that within the context of Eurogroup proposals on how to get out of the crisis," the press secretary added.

Peskov said Anastasiades "informed Putin of the Cypriot parliament's just passed decision to renounce the proposal that had been made public by the Eurogroup.

"Putin, for his part, again expressed concern over a possible adoption of some measures that can harm the interests of Russian legal entities or natural persons," Peskov emphasized.

He pointed out that during the telephone conversation the Presidents of the Russian Federation and Cyprus "agreeed to carry on consultations on both a bilateral basis and and with the European Commission".

"By mutual agreement of the two presidents (March 20) the Finance minister of Cyprus, as well as other high-ranking representatives of Cyprus will visit Moscow," the press secretary stressed.

He said that in conclusion of the telephone conversation, the President of Russia invited his Cypriot counterpart to visit the RF at a time of his convenience.

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