Russia puts its arm around Cyprus

[geetrue]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/putin-says-russia

Now that Russia is losing the war in Syria they may have a base in mind for Cyprus ...

Putin says Russia could join Cyprus bailout effort

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country could provide support to Cyprus as part of an international bailout for the indebted island, but only after euro zone countries have defined the terms of their assistance.

"We do not see it as comfortable for ourselves to meddle in this process. But, if... agreement is reached, we do not rule out the possibility to join in with the stabilisation of Cyprus' financial (position)," Putin told reporters in Brussels following an EU-Russia summit.

[Oberon]

That'll please the lads at Akrotiri, they can trade for some cheap vodka instead of the local plonk.

[BossMark]

Got a mate in who lives in Cyprus and he says that Russian Mafia have been there for a number of years.

[Skybird]

The German BND has issued serious warning to the goivernment over Cyprus being undermined by Russin black money mafia hoping for EU bailouts to wash the money clean. To prevent this money laundery, the German government had put a foot on the brake over the issue of EU aid to Cyprus.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by BossMark

Got a mate in who lives in Cyprus and he says that Russian Mafia have been there for a number of years.

Originally Posted by Skybird

The German BND has issued serious warning to the goivernment over Cyprus being undermined by Russin black money mafia hoping for EU bailouts to wash the money clean. To prevent this money laundery, the German government had put a foot on the brake over the issue of EU aid to Cyprus.

Yep, there was an article a few weeks ago about how much Russian mafia money was ploughed in to Cyprus and how it would alter the economy with laundering and wotnot.

@Oberon - nothing wrong with Keo or brandy sours for our boys, or the local equivalent of grappa (can't recall name - it's that good.) All of the above I blame for losing my wallet whilst transiting through to the Gulf. No money, no cards, no ID. Fortunately the kite went tits, as usual, so we had an extra 24 hrs and my mate found it down the back of her friends sofa. But I'd cancelled my cards

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

That'll please the lads at Akrotiri, they can trade for some cheap vodka instead of the local plonk.

Nowhere like as many of our folk over there as there was in 84 when I was on honeymoon.

Sad thing was, every time there was trouble, it was our lads that were involved.

Keo brewery was a free tour am and pm culminating in a free hour at the hospitality bar....plenty of mid evening naps LOL.

[geetrue]

I had no idea they were using Cyprus for this activity ... didn't Mr Chris serve over there.

I think it is one of those funny places with Greece and Turkey in charge or is that another Med island?

I was thinking more along the lines of Russia wanting a new naval base if Syria's new regime doesn't allow them to stay in Syria.

Speaking of alcohol: Russia restricts sales of beer - report

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/russia...153517034.html

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia is restricting sales of beer from January 1 in an attempt to curb alcoholism, Interfax news agency reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said alcoholism is a serious problem in Russia. It has one of the world's highest alcohol consumption rates according to the World Health Organisation. A 2011 WHO study said every fifth death among Russian men and six percent of deaths among women are attributable to alcohol abuse.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed amendments to alcohol laws in July 2011 to reclassify beer as liquor. The new law, which came into effect on Tuesday, restricts the amount of beer stalls and kiosks can sell and bans sales between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m, Interfax reported.
Beer companies operating in Russia include Danish brewer Carlsberg and Anheuser-Busch InBev .

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by geetrue

I had no idea they were using Cyprus for this activity ... didn't Mr Chris serve over there.

I think it is one of those funny places with Greece and Turkey in charge or is that another Med island?

Yes, he was once stationed there and you are also correct about Cyprus...the north is controlled by the Turks.