Cyprus will protest to the international organizations and foreign governments over the harassment of a Cyprus -flagged research vessel by Turkish frigate in the sea area of Cyprus, Government Spokesman Nikos Chistodoulides has said.
Spokesman noted that “the best answer to Turkey`s actions are the results of the recent third licensing round in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone.”
He said the incident involved a ship flying the Cyprus flag conducting research on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture off the coast of Akamas.
On the Cyprus peace talks, Chistodoulides said that the two leaders agreed, in principle, to issue a joint statement on September 14 on what they have discussed during the course of the intensified negotiation process and the results of their six meetings.
Asked about the new meeting of the leaders of the two communities on Monday, he said that a very substantial and crucial phase of negotiations is about to begin the results of which are to decide to a great extent how the Cyprus peace process will move forward.
He said that during the six meetings until September 14, the leaders will discuss thoroughly and in detail all the chapters of the Cyprus problem with the aim to achieving further understanding and convergences.
Asked about the possibility of a tripartite meeting among the UN Secretary General, the President the Republic and the Turkish Cypriot leader in New York, the spokesman said that as President Anastasiades has already stated this will be decided at the last meeting of the two leaders.
He made it clear however that such a meeting would not take place before the end of the UN General Assembly on September 25.
Asked about the forthcoming meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, the spokesman said that “we are in constant contact with the Greek Government”, adding that recently the Foreign Minister was in Athens to discuss the issue of guarantees and to exchange views with the Greek government.
He said that President Anastasiades will be in Athens on September 9 to participate in the Euro-Mediterranean Heads of States and Government Summit on the Future of Europe where he will have a separate meeting with Prime Minister of Greece to discuss developments in Cyprus.
Spokesman also reiterated that a meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, is scheduled for September 14 immediately after the two leaders meeting during which President Anastasiades will brief the members of the Council and exchange views with them.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci resumed in May 2015 aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof.
CNA/GMI/GCH 2016