Cyprus and Russia signed a protocol for economic cooperation on Thursday, in the context of talks between Cypriot Minister of Finance Charilaos Stavrakis and Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Igor Manylov.
Stavrakis and Manylov, in the framework of the 6th meeting of the Cyprus-Russia intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation and development, discussed issues concerning the completion of the agreement to avoid double taxation between the two countries, the omission of Cyprus from the ''blacklist'' and the chartered flights from Russia to Cyprus.
Speaking after the signing of the protocol, Stavrakis said Russia was probably the most important financial and commercial partner of Cyprus, adding that a decision was taken during the meeting to accelerate procedures to complete the agreement to avoid double taxation and omit Cyprus from the ''blacklist''.
Stavrakis said he had visited Russia on four occasions over the past twelve months, and that he would be traveling to Moscow on September 27 to meet with his Russian counterpart to verify that the proposed text of the agreement was to the benefit of both countries.
He also referred to Russian efforts ''to solve the long standing problem between our national air carriers and the possibility of enhancing charter flights to Cyprus from Moscow.''
Manylov said ''it was a very good step forward today'' and expressed hope that the documents signed would be ''very useful, not only for us as representatives of our countries, but also for every person and every citizen of our countries, which are very old friends.''
The protocol provides for the further strengthening of relations between the two countries and cooperation in the sectors of the economy, commerce, tourism, transports, health and education.
During their talks, the two sides found room to further improve cooperation in existing and new sectors, such as financing, banking, health, energy, medical research and the development of Russian regional centres.
They also pointed out the existence of favourable conditions to increase commercial exchanges and to strengthen cooperation in investments, tourism and transports.
