CYPRUS: Putin cautions Turkey, sends Russian navy to EastMed

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indirectly warned Turkey to back down from its activities in the eastern Mediterranean and reportedly told Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday evening that any violation of the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign rights was unacceptable.
The two men met had a friendly and cordial discussion in the context of a dinner hosted by the Italian President, in Milan, where European and Asian leaders took part in the 10th Asia – Europe Summit (ASEM), Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said in a statement.
During the dinner, they discussed all matters pertaining to the two countries’ bilateral relations, EU-Russia relations, as well as the situation as regards the Cyprus reunification process as a result of Turkey’s naval provocations within the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“Mr Putin reaffirmed the Russian position of principle in relation to the solution of the Cyprus problem as well as on the Republic of Cyprus’ inalienable right to use and exploit the natural resources within its EEZ, describing any violation of the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign rights as unacceptable”, Chritodoulides noted.
He added that the two leaders agreed to be in a continuous dialogue and in light of further developments to arrange to visit each other.
Turkey has issued recently a NAVTEX (Navigational Telex), a notice to mariners advising that it was reserving areas south of Cyprus for seismic surveys from October 20 to December 30.
President Anastasiades announced his decision to suspend participation in the UN-backed negotiations as a result of Turkey’s provocations.
Meanwhile, the Russian navy announced it will hold its own naval exercises at sea, off the Cyprus eastern coast, Captain Constantine Fitiris of the Cyprus Navy said.
The exercises on October 20-23 coincide, but reportedly have no relation to Turkey’s provocation within the Cyprus EEZ where Italy’s ENI has anchored an exploration drilling rig and US-based Noble Energy is already conducting further explorations in its own gasfields.
Captain Fitiris said that the Russian naval forces would not be operating near the Turkish ship Barbaros, which as he noted, is at the moment near Turkey out of Cyprus' area.
The exercise will be held at various times during the day. An area of 800 square miles at sea has been committed to this exercise. In addition, during the three-day exercise, aircraft will be diverted, he explained, noting that there is not much air traffic in the area because of the situation in Syria.
A group of the Black Sea Fleet, led by Admiral Alexander Vitko, will participate in the exercise, according to the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS.