Putin Says Any Violation of Cyprus' Sovereignty is Unacceptable!

During a meeting with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on the sidelines of the ASEM meeting in Milan on Thursday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that any violation of the sovereignty of Cyprus is unacceptable.

According to a statement from Cypriot government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides, the two presidents had an “extensive discussion in a friendly and cordial atmosphere” at a dinner that was hosted late on Thursday night by the President of the Italian Republic for delegates participating in the Asia – Europe Summit.

According to the Cypriot government spokesman, talks centred mostly on the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Russia, EU-Russia relations as well as the current phase of the Cyprus problem with emphasis on the latest developments (as these were shaped as a result of the Turkish NAVTEX with regard to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus.)

     "Putin reiterated Russia’s principled position both as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem and the inalienable right of the Republic to take advantage and exploit its natural resources within the EEZ,” noted Christodoulides. 

He also said that both Presidents agreed to hold another meeting in the near future (depending on the developments that may or may not unfold).