President of the European Council, Charles Michel, told the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, that he is monitoring the situation in the region closely and takes appropriate action, during a telephone conversation on Friday morning.
In a written statement, Government Spokesman, Kyriacos Koushos, says that “during their exchange, Michel informed President Anastasiades about the telephone call and the conversation he had with the President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan.”
On his part, the President of the Republic informed the President of the European Council about “the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey’s continuous violations in the EEZ of the the Republic of Cyprus” the announcement continues.
In parallel, it is added, President Anastasiades raised with Michel the issue of the fenced off part of the Turkish-occupied city of Famagusta, in the backdrop of statements by Turkish officials and representatives of the illegal puppet regime in the northern, Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, who speak about resettling Famagusta.
President Anastasiades stressed that a possible reopening of the fenced off part of Famagusta would greatly hinder prospects for the resumption of settlement talks for a comprehensive Cyprus solution, the Government Spokesman added.
Michel “told the President of the Republic that the EU monitors closely the developments in the region and takes appropriate action” Koushos added and said that the two leaders agreed to stay in constant touch.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.
Turkey’s seismic research vessel ‘Barbaros’ entered Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on July 30, 2020 and the specific area that Turkey has blocked with an illegal NAVTEX. According to the illegal NAVTEX, the area is located southeast of Cape Greco (Famagusta) and includes parts of blocks 2, 3 and 13 of Cyprus’ EEZ.
The Republic of Cyprus, has issued immediately an anti-NAVTEX, according to which the Turkish NAVTEX is illegal and violates the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and has taken steps on various levels in relation to the new Turkish provocations.
Turkish drill ship “Yavuz” arrived last April in the exclusive economic zone (ΕΕΖ) of Cyprus, after Ankara announced another attempt to drill a well in blocks licensed to European companies. This is the 6th time Turkey attempts to drill within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus, this time in an area that covers part of exploration blocks 6 and 7, which have been licensed to ENI and TOTAL.
More recently, a Turkish research vessel started sailing within the boundaries of an area defined by a navigational telex, Turkey issued illegally on August 10, announcing that “Oruc Reis” will conduct seismic surveys in the area south of the Greek islands of Karpathos, Rhodos and Kastellorizo, until August 23. The area spans in parts of the Greek and Turkish continental shelfs and Cyprus’ EEZ. “Oruc Reis” accompanied by two more ships, “Ataman” and “Cengizhan” as well as the Turkish navy.