US supports Cyprus

The United States are watching events in the Eastern Mediterranean and are also engaging in these events, US Ambassador in Nicosia Kathleen Doherty has said, expressing the hope that the issue will be resolved so that talks for Cyprus’ reunification can start again.

In statements after a meeting with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidential Palace, today, Doherty said that “we had a very good discussion about all the events that are happening, including the issue of hydrocarbons and I relayed to the President that the United States feels very strongly that the Republic of Cyprus has the right to explore and exploit its resources in the exclusive economic zone and we reiterated that we are engaged in the issues relevant to the Eastern Mediterranean.”

To that effect she pointed out that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson “when he was in Ankara last week raised this issue with the Turks.”

So, she added, “we are watching events and we are also engaging in these events and hopefully the issue will be resolved so that we can move forward and start the talks again.”

Replying to a question about the expected arrival of Exxon -Mobil in Cyprus’ EEZ she said that “we are talking about immediate issues today and we will see what happens.”

Doherty also said that she “wanted to congratulate the President for his re-election and also to convey the White House’s congratulations to the President.” She added that US President Donald Trump has also sent a letter of congratulations recently.

Drillship Saipem 12000, commissioned by Italian energy company ENI, was halted on the 9th of February by Turkish warships en route to a location within block 3 of Cyprus`  EEZ.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

A Conference on Cyprus in the context of UN led talks for the reunification of Cyprus under a federal roof, which took place in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana last summer ended without an agreement.