The president Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis to the question whether Nicosia was going to join NATO, told reporters that the country “needs effective protection.” At the same time, he stressed that it is too early to discuss membership in the alliance because of the position Ankara, which will block admission to the organization. About it writes RIA “Novosti” with reference to the press and information bureau of the republic.
“I think it is too early to discuss something like that, there are serious problems that, even if the Cypriot government had the will, would face procedural issues and, of course, objection from Turkey. Unanimity is required for a state to become a member of NATO,” Nikos Anastasiadis told media representatives.
At the same time, he stressed that such a small country as Cyprus, of course, “needs protection, of course, and most importantly, that the protection be effective, and any decisions be approved by the people.”
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin declared earlier in a telephone conversation with the head of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, that Helsinki’s refusal of neutrality and joining the North Atlantic Alliance would be a mistake. He noted that at present there are no threats to the country.
