The government of the Russian Federation has given its approval to direct flights from Russia to Ercan airport, northern Cyprus, reported Turkey’s Milliyet newspaper, quoting diplomatic sources.
The first flight, according to the report will take place on November 15, the anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence and the day the new airport will be inaugurated.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erogan will be on the first flight, reported Milliyet, which saw the development as a diplomatic victory for the ‘TRNC’ and Turkey, claiming this would pave the way for the recognition of the pseudo-state.
Erdogan has close ties with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and relations between the two countries have been unaffected by the war in Ukraine.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, was rather cautious, telling the newspaper that “we will welcome such a development with Russia, in the framework of political balance with Turkey, if it happens.”
He added: “Such a development would be a very important step for the ‘TRNC’, this is how recognition begins, the important thing being economic movement.”
He blamed the lack of direct flights on the objections of the Greek Cypriots. “Russia, for its own reasons, has withdrawn this objection, saying that if a private company wants to fly from Moscow directly to Ercan, there is no problem,” he said.
Responding to the reports, deputy government spokesperson Niovi Parissinou told Cyprus Mail: “The only thing I can say right now is that there is no official update concerning the matter. When there is something official it will be dealt with accordingly. The ministry of foreign affairs and other competent authorities are monitoring developments as well.”