EU calls on Turkey to respect Cyprus’ rights (updated)

The EU on Friday urged Turkey to show restraint and respect Cyprus’ sovereignty over its territorial sea and exclusive economic zone.

In its conclusions, following an EU summit, the European Council expressed serious concern about the renewed tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean caused by Turkey’s encroachment into Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Turkey has dispatched a research vessel into Cyprus’ EEZ to collect seismic data.

The move prompted President Nicos Anastasiades to pull out of reunification talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

The EU urged Turkey to “show restraint and to respect Cyprus’ sovereignty over its territorial sea and Cyprus’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone.”

It also recalled the Declaration of the European Community and its Member States of September 21, 2005, including that the recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the accession process.

“Under the current circumstances, the European Council considered it more important than ever to ensure a positive climate so that negotiations for a comprehensive Cyprus’ settlement can resume.”

Government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides expressed satisfaction.

“We are not being triumphant; the aim is to resolve the Cyprus problem and these conclusions will help put pressure on Turkey and talks can restart without threats and intimidation,” Christodoulides said.

The Turkish vessel, Barbaros, entered Cyprus’ EEZ on Monday, accompanied by two support vessels and warships.

It has been doing the rounds in the area since.

Cyprus says the seismic surveys are illegal and a violation of its sovereignty.

Although the Turkish operations are taking place within international waters, any activity by foreign nations beneath the water surface (such as surveys, depth soundings and data gathering) inside Cyprus’ EEZ is prohibited.

Any activities by foreign nations within the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) also require Cyprus’ prior express approval.

Turkey disputes Cyprus’ right to explore, claiming it was acting on behalf of Turkish Cypriots.

Companies exploring for natural gas continued their activities as normal.

Turkey has been trying to discourage companies from doing business with Cyprus since the launch of the first licensing round in 2007.

In 2011, US-based Noble Energy announced a natural gas discovery in block 12.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.