Cyprus Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the Summit among Cyprus, Greece and Egypt, taking place on Tuesday in Cairo, is particularly important as it sends out a message of cooperation on the basis of the international legality against the illegal interventions of Turkey against the Republic of Cyprus.
Prodromou noted that the commitment of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt to cooperation, on the basis of the international law and particularly the UN law of the sea convention, UNCLOS, and the support of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus will be depicted in the Declaration of the Trilateral Summit.
He said that the meeting of the trilateral mechanism of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt is in itself important as this is the seventh summit. “However, at the same time, it is particularly important during this specific period of time, since it sends out the message of cooperation on the basis of the international legality against the illegal interventions of Turkey against the Republic of Cyprus,” he added.
Moreover he said that the bilateral meeting which Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades will have with the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is of particular importance in the framework of the two countries` particularly close relation and cooperation, and that the two leadres will discuss among others about the illegal Turkish activities and provocations.
According to a navigational warning issued by Turkey, Turkish drill ship “Yavuz”, which has returned to Cyprus’ EEZ, will carry out drilling operations inside block 7, located off the south-western coast of Cyprus. Block 7 has been licensed by the government of Cyprus to France’s Total and Italy’s ENI for drilling operations.
“Yavuz”, was anchored off the island’s north-eastern coast on July 8 and operated within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus, until September 17, when it departed for a Turkish port in Mersin.
Moreover, Turkey issued a navigational telex (navtex), announcing its intention to start drilling off Cyprus and since 4 May 2019, the Turkish drill ship “Fatih” has been anchored 36 nautical miles west of Akamas peninsula. The area falls within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus. Ankara extended the navtex until November 1, 2019.
Cyprus has called on drill ship “Yavuz” and its supporting vessels to immediately cease illegal actions in the Republic’ Exclusive Economic Zone and its continental shelf.
A navigational telex (navtex), published on the website of the Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre (JRCC) stationed in Larnaca, also warned all those working on “Yavuz” and its supporting vessels that they will face consequences and an international arrest warrant will be issued against them.
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. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
(Cyprus News Agency)
