President briefed EPP summit of Turkey's illegal actions

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has briefed the EPP Summit, which took place via videoconference on Wednesday evening, on Turkey`s continued illegal actions within Cyprus` EEZ as well as of its threats to settle the fenced-off part of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha.

Addressing the summit, President Anastasiades "referred extensively to Turkey`s continued illegal activities within Cyprus` EEZ, which violate the Republic of Cyprus` sovereign rights and asked that the European Union`s solidarity is shown through specific actions," a presidency press release says.

President Anastasiades also referred to Turkey`s threats to settle the fenced-off part of the city of Famagusta in violation of the relevant UN resolutions, the press release adds.

"Participants in the EPP summit expressed their support and solidarity towards Cyprus in relation to Turkish illegal activities and underlined that Turkey must respect all EU member states and implement what international law dictates," the presidency press release concludes.

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.