Cyprus to sign controversial military agreement with Russia

Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades flew to Moscow on Tuesday for an official visit during which he will sign a controversial defense cooperation agreement extending military facilities to Russia on the eastern Mediterranean island.

Anastasiades, trying to play down the agreement, has said that it will renew an old one which covered Russia's servicing of military equipment purchased by Cyprus.

However, Cypriot government officials have acknowledged that it will extend the scope of the defense cooperation by offering facilities to Russia, such as refueling and maintenance for its aircraft at an air base in the western part of the island and also port facilities for Russian ships. Endit