Cyprus deal allows Russian navy to use ports

Cyprus has signed a deal with Russia allowing its navy ships to make regular port calls on the EU island member state. The agreement comes amid strong tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine
--------------------------------------------
CYPRUS-RUSSIA AGREEMENTS

Cypriot ports: Russian navy ships allowed regular access, primarily for international counter-terrorism andanti-piracy missions

Limassol: Port already used by Russian ships for refuelling and as transit station for supply of arms to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Airports: Russian military aircraft able to use Papandreou Air Base,adjacent to Paphos International Airport, for humanitarian efforts

Military equipment: Cypriot National Guard has replaced many of its French AMX-30 tanks with Russian-made T-80, and purchased 11 Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters
-------------------------------------------
Northern Cyprus Under Turkish military occupation since 1974

Nicosia

Dhekelia

Larnaca

CYPRUS

Limassol

Akrotiri

Paphos

50km 30 miles

Sovereign Base Areas UK military facilities

United Nations buffer zone

Finance: Russia has restructured €2.5bn ($2.8bn) loan to Cyprus signed in 2011, cutting annual interestrate from 4.5 to 2.5 percent
-----------------------------------
WARMING EU-RUSSIA RELATIONS

Hungary: Kremlin-friendly government has securedmore favourable terms for supplies of Russian gas, and criticized European allies for their policy of seeking to isolate Moscow over Ukraine

Greece: Leftist, anti-austerity Syriza-led government hasdistanced itself from calls to broaden sanctions on Moscow. Could seek Russian aid if EU bailout talks fail
-----------------------------------
Source: Wire agencies 

Pictures: Associated Press, Wikimedia Commons

words 232