President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades reiterated today his readiness to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in an effort to resume the stalled UN-led peace talks.
Speaking on the sidelines of a reception he hosted for the diplomatic corps, at the Presidential Palace, on the occasion of his reelection, the President was also reassuring with regard to the situation in the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone, calling on everybody to maintain their composure.
Asked to comment on press reports that Akinci is trying to push an eventual tête-à-tête closer to the EU-Turkey leaders` meeting in Varna, scheduled for March 26, President Anastasiades noted that he cannot interpret the decisions of the Turkish Cypriot leader.
“I have stated that I am ready to meet in order to establish the direction each one of us thinks or wants to go to. We are waiting,” the President said.
Regarding the situation in Cyprus’ EEZ after Turkey’s recent provocations, the President called for calmness. “What we need is composure, prudence and the right diplomatic handling” he said.
The President noted moreover that nobody should worry about the situation. “We are in cooperation with the EU, with friendly countries. I reiterate that we are trying to address any situation the other side is probably seeking to create and we avoid anything that might put in danger either our security, our development, or our energy designs,” he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-peace talks in the summer of 2017 ended without an agreement. Talks held under the auspices of the UN aim at reunifying Cyprus under a federal roof.
On February 9, 2018, the “SAIPEM 12000” vessel, commissioned for drilling operations by Italian energy company ENI, was halted by Turkish warships en route to block 3 of Cyprus’ EEZ. On February 23, SAIPEM attempted again to reach its destination, but was once again threatened by Turkish warships and was forced to abandon the area.