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Russia, Cyprus to sign military-technical deal during President Anastasiades’ visit

The sides also plan to ink two documents on the possibility of using airports and seaports of Cyprus by Russian warplanes and warships in humanitarian operations and emergencies, Anastasiades said

© EPA/CYPRIOT PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT

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Russia, Cyprus presidents to discuss financial, military cooperation, Ukraine crisis

NICOSIA, February 25. /TASS/. Russia and Cyprus are expected to sign an agreement on military-technical cooperation during Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades’ official visit to Russia on February 24-27, the president said in an exclusive interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.

The sides also plan to ink two documents on the possibility of using airports and seaports of Cyprus by Russian warplanes and warships in humanitarian operations and emergencies, Anastasiades said.

Russia and Cyprus already have an agreement on military cooperation, Anastasiades said. He said this agreement would be renewed and updated in Moscow. "Simultaneously, two documents on humanitarian issues similar to those that we have with Germany, France and other countries will be signed," he said.

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The president of Cyprus emphasized that Cyprus would seek to strengthen "the existing excellent relations with Russia and expand those spheres in which the republic is developing relations with other countries."

"We are in dialogue on providing additional possibilities to Russia in humanitarian operations and in emergencies," the president told Gusman.

Anastasiades said airports and seaports of Cyprus may be available to Russian warplanes and ships in emergency situations and humanitarian operations. In particular, he mentioned the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos, in the southwest of Cyprus, and the port of Limassol.

"We would like to have a deeper and more structured agreement in regard to those possibilities that are provided by the Republic of Cyprus to the Russian Federation," Anastasiades said.

According to some previous media reports, Russia allegedly intended to create military bases in Cyprus.

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