NICOSIA, December 18. /TASS/. The authorities of Northern Cyprus would like to establish direct air service with Russia, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar who is also President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC, which is only recognized by Turkey) told TASS.

"Obviously, this is something we would very much like to do. However, to make this happen the Russian authorities must authorize the opening of direct flights to the airport of Ercan. Unfortunately, we have not been able to get this permission from Russia so far," he said when commenting on reports that this may happen.

Tatar noted that "a large number of Russian citizens live in Northern Cyprus." "Some of them came from the south after the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, some moved from Turkey, while some others - directly from Russia," he said. "The Russians are involved in industrial development with us, participate in construction. There are many tourists from Russia here. And as you know, we accept daily flights from each Turkish airport. Many Russians come from Antalya, Istanbul and other Turkish cities," the Turkish Cypriot leader added.

If direct flights to Moscow start "this destination will be very popular," especially since not only the Russians, "but the Turkish from Northern Cyprus will fly to Moscow, both for trade and for business, for tourist purposes and for education," Tatar noted.

"We have good relations with Turkic-speaking countries - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan. And we would like to have more ties with Russia as the Russians are very close to the Turks, we have common roots, common history," he concluded.