Cyprus President flew on a working trip on an airplane of a Russian billionaire

The scandal broke out in Cyprus in connection with the working visit of the country's President Nicos Anastasiadis to France, RIA Novosti reports with reference to local media. Anastasiadis went on a trip on the plane of his friend - a Russian billionaire named Lebedev. According to the Sigma radio station, this refers to the Senator-Sadinoros Leonid Lebedev, the owner of the synthesis group, which is engaged in oil production, energy and developing.

Recently, Synthesis participated in the competition for the privatization of the Greek gas company DEPA and the DESFA gas transmission company, Sigma recalls. In addition, Lebedev is a former client of the Anastasiadis lawyer.

Other media stated that we are talking about the owner of the National Reserve Corporation Alexander Lebedev. However, the official representative of the oligarch noticed the Prime agency that Alexander Lebedev "has nothing to do with this story."

The trip took place last week. The Cyprus leader negotiated with France President Francois Hollande, as well as with top managers of the Total oil and gas company. Anastasiadis discussed the prospects for France’s participation in the development of Cyprus deposits, as well as investing in these projects.

The use of the Russian oligarch aircraft explained the government of the country's government to break the breakdowns due to the strike of air traffic controllers in France. At the same time, officials noted, Lebedev did not demand fees for the provision of the aircraft. Anastasiadis returned by the flight of Cyprus Airlines.

Nevertheless, the opposition from the progressive party of the working people - the local Communist Party - saw in the act of the head of state the violation of the ethical norms established for government officials.

Anastasiadis rejected the opposition. “What do they want to see - the moon or finger?” He said in an interview with Sigma. “The moon is an important meeting with my French colleague. A finger is a flight of a presidential delegation with a regular route that would cost the state treasury of 6 thousand euros.”

In mid -March, a financial crisis took place in Cyprus. The country's authorities turned to Russia for help. However, negotiations between the Minister of Finance of Cyprus Mikhalis Sarris with Russian officials ended to no avail. Later, Cyprus agreed to provide the European Union. After that, President Vladimir Putin instructed the government and the Ministry of Finance to work out the issue of restructuring the previously provided Cyprus of a loan worth 2.5 billion euros. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that the loot was robbed in Cyprus.