Excellent relations with Russia, China will not be disrupted, Cyprus President says

The excellent relations Cyprus has with Russia and China will not be disrupted, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Thursday, commenting on a US decision to include Cyprus in its military education and training program.

Replying to a journalist's question on the sidelines of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the liquefied natural gas terminal in Vasilikos, the President expressed his satisfaction on the decision of the US government and reassured all those concerned that "the excellent relations Cyprus has with Russia and China will never be disrupted."

A small country like Cyprus seeks the best possible relationship with all the permanent members of the UN Security Council, he added.

On Thursday, Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart. The two discussed the Cyprus issue, the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, and the Double Tax Agreement.

A press release by the Russian Ministry says that the telephone conversation took place at Christodoulides’ initiative.

"The Foreign Ministers exchanged opinions on topical issues of the bilateral agenda with a focus on the programme of events marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Cyprus. They also discussed the settlement of the Cyprus dispute in the context of the upcoming consideration of the matter by the UN Security Council," the Ministry announced.