TRNC President Tatar: 'We hope for the start of direct flights with Russia'

Stating that a large number of Russian citizens live in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and that direct flights are therefore important, TRNC President Ersin Tatar noted that the Greek Cypriot administration has been obstructing negotiations on this matter.

In his statement to Sputnik at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, he said that direct flights are currently being operated to Ercan Airport from many cities in Turkey.

Tatar said, "Why shouldn't planes come from Moscow as well? According to the Chicago Convention, landings at airports in unrecognized countries are prohibited, but if planes are flying from Turkey, they should also be able to fly from Moscow. This is important because many Russians live here; there are currently 25-30 thousand Russians, we love them very much, their children go to our schools, and they are becoming a part of society. Russians who want to travel by plane between Moscow and Northern Cyprus first fly to Istanbul or Antalya and then transfer from there."

Emphasizing that they 'hope for the start of direct flights between Ercan Airport and various airports in Russia in the near future,' Ersin Tatar pointed out that representatives of the Greek Cypriot administration have been obstructing the negotiations.