The coordination of actions between Cyprus and Greece in light of Turkish provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean was discussed at the meeting held on Tuesday between President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
Dendias, who pays Cyprus a working visit, was received on Tuesday by President Anastasiades at the presidential residence in Troodos.
After the meeting, President Anastasiades wrote in his twitter account “with the Foreign Minister of Greece @NikosDendias we had a highly productive meeting today, discussing the common line of Cyprus and Greece to address the Turkish challenges and de-escalate the tension in the region”.
Meanwhile, in his twitter account, Dendias wrote “I was cordially received by #Cyprus President @AnastasiadesCY. Greece and Cyprus work closely together & coordinate efforts to safeguard regional stability & security”.
Dendias was accompanied by his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides, with whom he will hold later on a tete a tete meeting followed by consultations with the participation of officials from both countries.
The agenda of discussions will focus on recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the escalation of Turkish illegal actions in the region. Moreover, the agenda will include Greek-Cypriot cooperation both at a bilateral and European level, as well as in the context of trilateral alliances in the region.
Christodoulides and Dendias will make statements to the press after their meeting.
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.
Ankara has sent on several occasions its seismic research vessel ‘Barbaros’ to Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), following the Republic of Cyprus’ decision, in 2011, to start exploratory offshore drilling. After May 2019, Turkey caused a stir by sending consecutively two drill ships, “Fatih” and “Yavuz”, to conduct unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, at times in areas licensed by Cyprus to international energy companies.
The European Council reaffirmed its full solidarity with Cyprus, regarding the respect of its sovereignty and sovereign rights in accordance with international law and in February 2020, placed two persons under restrictive measures, in relation to Turkey`s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.