Cyprus monitoring Turkish vessel in cooperation with other states

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that the Republic of Cyprus is monitoring the moves of Turkish vessel “Fatih” (Conqueror) in cooperation with other states, and announced that President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades will be convening the National Council on Saturday.
 
In statements at the Presidential Palace, after a Council of Ministers meeting, Christodoulides said he informed the Council of Ministers that on May 4 the geographical coordinates of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the shelf, on the basis of the mean line between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, were submitted to the UN Secretary General.
 
He added that on Monday a meeting will be taking place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a follow up of the meetings in the presence of the Attorney General, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, and the Deputy Minister for Shipping.
 
Replying to questions, Christodoulides said that all governments of the Republic of Cyprus since 2004, on the basis of recommendations by international advisers and on the basis of international law, with which the Republic’s rights are fully secured, had decided against submitting the coordinates so that the action would not be exploited by Turkey as a provocation to proceed with certain moves.
 
He added that with an amendment to the law in July 2014 regarding Cyprus’ EEZ and the shelf, it was made clear that the EEZ boundaries where the mean line.
 
“The coordinates merely set out the mean line with greater accuracy. May I remind that the rights on the shelf are ipso facto. Thus, the rights of the Republic of Cyprus are not questioned,” he said.
 
Christodoulides added that Cyprus is in constant contact with the European Commission and EU member states, regarding Turkey’s illegal actions in the EEZ.
 
He noted that on Tuesday he would be discussing the issue in Paris and that the next stop was the Informal European Council in Romania on May 9 where President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades would be discussing actions taken on a legal, political and diplomatic level.
 
Replying to questions, Christodoulides said Cyprus has been taking measures for a long time now to avert Turkish provocations and that the EU had also reacted, and pointed out that where unanimity was necessary for EU decisions, the position of Cyprus was clear.
 
Asked if “Fatih” had started drilling, Christodoulides said there had been no such information. He added that it appears through statements by Turkish officials that Turkey was unable to cooperate with companies providing supporting services or rent machinery.
 
Christodoulides noted that there was no cooperation with Turkey on a state level and that Cyprus was preparing international arrest warrants and the list of those involved in the illegal action.
 
He added that prior to the Turkish action, President Anastasiades had written to the UN Secretary General and the leaders of the five permanent members of the Security Council, among other contacts.
 
The Minister pointed out that solving the Cyprus problem was the government’s top priority and that the current state of affairs adversely affected all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, with Turkey’s latest provocations not serving the interests of the Turkish Cypriots in the least.
 
To remarks that the Greek Cypriot side had said that there could be no talks for a Cyprus settlement amidst Turkish provocations, Christodoulides said this was in fact what the UN Security Council had said.
 
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.