"We are in substantial negotiations with our partners in Europe
and those have lent us. We have obligations towards them," Tsipras
said at a news conference, when asked about whether Greece was open
to aid from Russia.
"Right now, there are no other thoughts on the table."
Speaking in Nicosia during his first foreign trip as prime minister,
Tsipras said he discussed with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades
the need for a coordinated stance for a "bridge of peace and
cooperation between Europe and Russia."
Tsipras also ruled out his country leaving the euro, saying anyone
who believed small euro zone states like Greece and Cyprus were not
essential in the bloc would be disproven.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Feb/02/images/ads/current/charrons_bch041713.png) "The EU and eurozone would be both dismembered along their
Southeastern flank without Greece and Cyprus," Tsipras said.
Tsipras also called for the "troika" mechanism of European
Commission, European Central Bank and IMF inspectors overseeing the
finances of struggling countries to be replaced.
"I believe that this would be a mature and necessary development for
Europe," Tsipras said.
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Tsipras also said his government would strongly support the Cypriot
government's efforts to seek a reunification of the island, which
was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief
Greek-inspired coup.
(Reporting by Michele Kambas, writing by Deepa Babington)
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