The government wants to let diplomacy work, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou told CNA on Friday, in relation to yesterday’s decision by the Russian government to ban Interior Ministry officials from entering the country.
Asked to comment on the decision, Antoniou said that the Government does not want to comment further on the issue, which, he said, is being handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Asked if the timing of the decision had any significance, Antoniou replied in the negative, adding that the government does not believe it is a targeted decision against Cyprus, but that it is part of the Russian government’s actions against all European states “because of the sanctions imposed on it”.
“Communication through diplomatic channels continues and we want to let diplomacy work,” he said.
Asked whether any press-related issues have been raised, given the involvement of a Russian journalist in the case, Antoniou said there was no such aspect, adding that the person in question had re
turned to Russia after his arrest as requested by the Russian authorities themselves and that no charges had been brought against him by the Cypriot authorities.
Source: Cyprus News Agency