Cyprus signs deal allowing Russian navy to use port of Limassol

Source : http://www.siberianinsider.com

Russia and Cyprus renewed a defence co-operation agreement on 25 February that permits Russian warships to use Cypriot ports.

The agreement provides a solid legal basis for the Russian ships already making stops at the Cypriot port of Limassol. During his visit to Moscow, Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades further revealed that the two countries were discussing the possibility of Russia using an airbase in Cyprus, for “humanitarian relief missions”.

Accompanying the defence agreement were eight other bilateral agreements intended to reinforce co-operation on the economy, in energy, and in mutual promotion of investments. According to media reports, the Russian parliament also agreed as a part of the deal to a crucial postponement to 2021 of the repayment of EUR2.5 billion owed by Cyprus and due in 2016.