Italy has made representations to Ankara over Turkish provocative actions in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone (EEZ), reliable sources told CNA.
According to the same sources, Italy is “particularly disturbed” by the issuing of the illegal Turkish NAVTEX directive for investigations of the Turkish research vessel Barbaros areas in the EEZ of the Republic.
The Turkish NAVTEX violates the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, but also the rights of of the Italian-Korean energy consortium Eni-Kogas which its Drill ship Saipem 10000 began in September its first testing for hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus` EEZ following an agreement with the Republic of Cyprus.
Meanwhile, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades will raise the issue of the Turkish provocations during his meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the 10th Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM) which is taking place in Milan.
According to sources, the President Anastasiades will meet, among others, with the President of the European Council and the Italian Prime Minister, whose country presides this semester the EU but also with leaders of Asian countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. The President is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A statement issued by the Presidency said that during the proceedings of the Summit, President Anastasiades will make an intervention at the plenary session titled “Europe Asia Partnership in Addressing Global Matters in an Interconnected World”
President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou is currently on a visit to Brussels where he will meet European officials in order to brief them on the issue of the latest Turkish provocative and illegal actions and threats in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus.
Omirou will meet with the President of the European Parliament Mr Martin Schulz, and he will hold separate meetings with the leaders and/or representatives of the political parties of the European Parliament.
Turkey`s moves led to the suspension by the Greek Cypriot side, for the time being, of its participation in the UN-led peace talks. Nicosia has briefed its EU partners and other government on the situation created by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean.
