Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Cyprus Tuesday for a two-day visit to discuss the revival of the Cyprus talks, as well as trade and visa relations, dpa reported. Lavrov was to meet Wednesday with Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and the President of the House of Representatives (parliament) Demetris Christofias. He will also meet the United Nations Chief of Mission in Cyprus, Zbigniew Wlosowicz, dpa reported. The Russian minister is accompanied by a nine-member delegation, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Chizhov and Special Representative of the Ministry for Cyprus Leonid Abramov. The Greek Cypriot and Russian Ministers will also sign agreements to abolish visas for diplomats and other officials, as well as an agreement to smoothen travel for Cypriots and Russians. Cyprus relies on Russian tourists and prospective property buyers to boost the island's economy, with holidaymakers from Russia accounting for a fifth of all arrivals, most of whom stay in four- and five-star hotels. --SP 2323 Local Time 2023 GMT
