CYPRUS: US underlines ‘deep concern’ over continued Turkish gas drills

Washington remains very concerned over Turkey’s continued illegal drilling activity in Cyprus waters, US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.

“Similarly, to the Europeans, we’ve expressed deep concerns over Turkey’s assertions that it is going to continue to drill in these waters off of Cyprus,” Ortagus said.

She pointed to the statement released on July 9 on this issue and repeated that the US similarly shares the concern that the EU has displayed in approving targeted sanctions against Ankara.

Turkey says it will not stop its drilling operations but continue to send more ships as it calls the EU’s bluff over sanctions.

On the US sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, following the delivery of the Russian S400 missile system, Ortagus said: “We’ve been pretty clear from this podium what the ramifications could be, and I think that you saw those ramifications when the President (Trump) talked about the inability of Turkey now to have the F-35.”

Ortagus also said Washington was reviewing what type of punitive measures it could or should impose against Turkey for purchasing Russian weapons systems.

Options for sanctions “are in the process. As soon as we have an announcement to make, I’ll let you know,” she said. (source CNA)

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