Russia’s military bases in Hmeymim and Tartus are enough to conduct counterterrorist operation in Syria, Sergey Lavrov says
"Real life showed that Russia can come to Syria without any bases," Kasoulides said, answering a question how Cyprus could help Russia in the fight against international terrorism taking into account its geographic location.
MOSCOW, October 31. /TASS/. Moscow and Nicosia did not discuss the issue on deploying Russian military bases to Cyprus, the republic’s Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Monday.
"You say that the issue on Russian military bases has been widely discussed in mass media," the minister said. "I’m afraid it was discussed only in mass media, I don’t think this was discussed by the representatives of government circles."
"You say that the issue on Russian military bases has been widely discussed in mass media," the minister said. "I’m afraid it was discussed only in mass media, I don’t think this was discussed by the representatives of government circles."
"Real life showed that Russia can come to Syria without any bases," Kasoulides said, answering a question how Cyprus could help Russia in the fight against international terrorism taking into account its geographic location.
Lavrov confirmed that the issue was not discussed. "We have discussed nothing of the kind. In principle, the vessels of the Russian Navy use the ports of Cyprus, but without any special services," Lavrov said. "I don’t remember that this issue has been ever discussed between the Republic of Cyprus and us."
Lavrov went on to say that Russia’s military bases in Hmeymim and Tartus are enough to conduct counterterrorist operation in Syria.
"The location of our bases in Hmeymim and Tartus is rather favorable, so we can ensure the necessary parameters of the counterterrorist operation conducted at the request of the Syrian government," the minister said.
All foreign troops must be withdrawn from Cyprus, Kasoulidis went on.
"I must brief you on the latest events that occurred in the course of the settlement of the Cyprus problem," he said. "In particular, this concerns the matter of security. It is the most important chapter for us in any solution. We know that Russia’s stance is identical to ours in that the institution of guarantees must be eliminated and all foreign troops withdrawn from Cyprus."
He added that Russia as a UN Security Council member had always adhered to high-principled positions and kept pressing for them today.
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