Cyprus Minister of Finance Michalis Sarris meets again with his Russian counterpart Anton Siluanov this evening.

In statements to CNA Sarris said that it is possible that Russian Energy Minister and other officials will be present at the meeting.

Expressing reserved optimism, Sarris, stressed that a new loan from Russia is not on the table, adding that there is a possibility of Russian investments in a Solidarity Investment Fund, the establishment of which was decided earlier, on Thursday by the Cyprus government.

Referring to the new meeting he will have with Siluanov, Sarris noted that “we hope that during the meeting we will have some indication as to the results of the working groups”.  Working groups have been working on various issues concerning the possible Russian involvement in Cyprus’ rescue.

“We are reservedly optimistic”, he said, adding that “we hope that they will tell us that they are interested in certain things”.

He explained however that so far there was no positive sign.

The fact, he added, “that a meeting has been called, is positive in the sense that we will know one way or the other where we stand”.

Replying to a question, Sarris said that his talks in Moscow do not focus on a new Russian loan, as it would increase public debt.

He explained that talks are rather related with various investments “and even investments in this investment fund” which was decided to be established in Cyprus or other investments which have to do with the banking sector and energy.

The Eurogroup reached last week an agreement in Brussels which provided for a one-off levy on savings that stung small account holders to the tune of 6.75% in exchange for a €10 billion sovereign bailout deal, whereas deposits over 100.000 euro would be charged with a 9.9% levy. The agreement also included an increase in corporate tax from 10% to 12.5%.

A relevant bill, with some modifications, was rejected by the Cyprus House of Representatives on Tuesday evening.

Excluded from the international markets, Cyprus applied last June for financial assistance from the EU bailout mechanism, after its banks sought state support following massive write downs of the Greek bond holdings amounting to €2.5 billion or 25% of the island`s GDP, as result of the Greek sovereign debt haircut.