Lavrov: We are concerned about the continuing crises in the Eastern Mediterranean

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed concern about the continuing tension in the eastern Mediterranean, reiterating his country’s support for dialogue to resolve the crisis resulting from the Turkish regime’s continous illegal exploration operations in this region.

In an interview today with the Cyprus newspaper Villalifteros on the occasion of his upcoming visit to the island to participate in the sixtieth anniversary of the independence of Cyprus,  Lavrov said that the Russian side has clarified on many occasions its vision of the consequent situation in the eastern Mediterranean, adding that there is no doubt that we are very concerned about the ongoing crises in this region and we consider all actions that may lead to the escalation of the crises are unacceptable.

Lavrov renewed Russia’s call to the officials of the countries of the region to show political farsightedness and settle disputes exclusively peacefully and legally, noting that resolving differences around the negotiations table is better than deepening them by competing in launching public speeches.

Lavrov referred to the history of the Soviet-Cypriot and then Russian relations, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation between Moscow and Nicosia.

The Turkish regime continues its provocative steps in the eastern Mediterranean, where it revealed through a map it published its ambitions to explore gas in areas off the coast of Greek islands. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades a few days ago warned that his island is facing a very dangerous situation due to the provocations and violations of the Turkish regime of international law and the economic zone exclusive to Cyprus.

Inas Abdulkareem