ENERGY: Italy calls for collective EU action against Turkey for Cyprus incursion

Turkish actions must be addressed collectively by the European Union as they are in fact a problem for the EU, the Italian President has said, receiving the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Italy.

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During the ceremony, held in Rome, Ambassador Minas Hadjimichael briefed Italian President Sergio Mattarella on the efforts to resume Cyprus talks and Turkey’s unlawful actions within the Republic of Cyprus`s Exclusive Economic Zone, underlining the importance of Italy supporting the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to a statement issued on Monday, President Mattarella stressed that Turkey`s actions should be addressed collectively by the European Union as they are essentially an EU problem.

In addition, the new Cypriot Ambassador expressed the Government`s commitment to further deepening relations between Cyprus and Italy both as partners in the European Union but especially taking into account the strategic role that Italy has in the energy program of the Republic and the common interests of the two countries in the eastern Mediterranean.

Italian energy giant ENI is licensed to exploit several blocks with the island’s EEZ which Turkey disputes.

President Mattarella was invited to conduct an official visit to Cyprus this year.  The Italian President accepted the invitation and invited President Anastasiades to Italy.

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