NICOSIA, June 12 /ITAR-TASS/. Peoples of Cyprus and Russia are linked by relations of kinship that have withstood the test of time, President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis said on Wednesday at a reception organized by the Russian embassy on the occasion of Russia’s national holiday, the Day of Russia, marked on June 12.

“The ‘natural kinship’ between our peoples, which has become the slogan of our relations, especially in conditions of an unprecedented grave economic situation Cyprus had to face proves the enduring nature of our traditional ties,” he said.

The president expressed gratitude of his country’s people “over the demonstration of trust and support to Cyprus from many Russian citizens who continue to run their businesses and make investments in Cyprus.” He also hailed upwards dynamics of tourist flows from Russia.

He also said that the government and the people of Cyprus highly appreciated “Russia’s consistent and principled position on the Cypriot settlement.”

“My government hopes that comprehensive perspectives of our political cooperation will be completely realized, especially in the time of trouble we are now facing,” Anastasiadis said. “Russia’s contribution to the formation of relations on the international arena is necessary for efficient reflections of common challenges in the interests of geopolitical stability both on the global and on regional levels.”

“As a member of the European Union, Cyprus has the political will to promote trust, strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation in the wide European space in the spirit of pragmatism,” he stressed.

The Cypriot president said he was confident that Russia and Cyprus were committed to strengthen relations between the two countries both on the bilateral and regional levels in the interests of traditional friendship and solidarity between the Cypriot and Russian peoples.