Russian Foreign Minister Plans Cypriot Visit

He will be received by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and will conduct meetings with the island's leading delegates, including Foreign Ministry officials, political party heads and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected to discuss the two nation's bilateral relations, the Cypriot divide, the Ukrainian crisis, and various international issues. Nicosia's Russian Embassy Spokesman Sergey Filimonov described: "Issues regarding all aspects of the relations between the two countries will be discussed".

This marks Meshkov's first trip to Cyprus, and does not involve a scheduled meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu. Anastasiades also plans to visit Moscow, but the dates have not yet been determined. Filimonov commented, "However preparations are underway and agreements to be signed during the visit are being drafted".

When queried about U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's current Cypriot visit, the Russian Spokesman stated: "...and it is our opinion that to a great extent the reason behind it is the upgraded interest of the Americans in the Cyprus problem due to the situation in the South-Eastern Mediterranean', according to Parikiaki.