22.9 C
Nicosia
Friday, March 29, 2024

Latest News

Powered by:

Pompeo informs Anastasiades US weapons embargo is lifted

Relevant News

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has informed President Nicos Anastasiades of his country’s decision to lift the embargo imposed in 1987 on Cyprus as regards the sales of non-lethal weapons.

Pompeo and Anastasiades had a telephone conversation late on Tuesday, according to a written statement by government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos.

“This development constitutes recognition of Cyprus’ role in the region and indicates the importance which the US and Cyprus attribute to strengthening their bilateral relations particularly in the defence and security area,” Koushos also said.

“This is ascertained by the progress being made on these issues after the signing of the Statement of Intent between the Republic of Cyprus and the US on November 6, 2018, by Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and the then US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell,” he added.

In addition, Pompeo has expressed his satisfaction over the cooperation that has been achieved between the US and the Republic of Cyprus.

The telephone conversation, Koushos noted, was the initiative of Pompeo with whom Anastasiades also reviewed in detail developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the dangers for peace and stability in the region as a result of Turkish provocations.

Pompeo clearly noted that the US recognises the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and Greece and the urgent need of focusing on dialogue on the basis of the international law as a necessary prerequisite to create and consolidate conditions of stability and peace in the region.
Anastasiades has briefed the US Secretary of State about Turkey’s illegal activities in the Cyprus Republic EEZ and its threats as regards the issue of the fenced-off city of Famagusta.

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 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.

Turkey and the illegal regime in the occupied areas have made recent provocative announcements and threats as regards the opening of the fenced off city of Varosha, in violation of the relevant resolutions. (CNA)

Follow in-cyprus on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.