Moscow Says Will Take Into Account Malta Refusing Airspace For 2 Venezuela-Bound Planes

Russia will take into account Malta's decision to deny entry to its airspace for two Russian planes on their way to Venezuela when considering future Moscow-Valletta relations, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th April, 2019) Russia will take into account Malta's decision to deny entry to its airspace for two Russian planes on their way to Venezuela when considering future Moscow-Valletta relations, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

On April 4, Russia applied for a permission from Valletta for the planes to pass through the Maltese airspace in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

"Unfortunately, the Maltese authorities refused to issue a permit for the Russian aircraft without specifying the reasons," Zakharova said.

"Despite the fact that such decisions are a sovereign prerogative of each particular state, the refusal by the authorities of Malta is out of common practice and carries a certain unfriendly overtone. It will certainly be taken into account by the Russian side in further bilateral relations with Valletta," the spokeswoman said.