CYPRUS: National Council convenes amid Turkish provocations in EEZ

The National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, convenes here on Monday in the backdrop of Turkish provocative actions within the Republic`s exclusive economic zone.

The Council, comprising all parliamentary parties which meet under President Nicos Anastasiades, was set to meet on Monday in order to begin a discussion on the Cyprus problem. However, the latest developments in Cyprus EEZ altered the agenda of the meeting.

A NAVTEX (Navigational Telex), a notice to mariners by Turkey, advising that it was reserving areas south of Cyprus – including parts of the country's EEZ – for seismic surveys, entered early on Monday morning into force, until December 30.

Following Turkey’s provocations, President Anastasiades has recently announced his decision to suspend his participation in the UN backed negotiations which aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.

In today`s Council meeting, President Nicos Anastasiades is expected to brief party leaders on his recent contacts in Milan with foreign leaders, on the sidelines of the ASEM Summit.

The President expects to hear from the parties their positions on the handling of the issue.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus` northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, in spite of repeated calls by the EU to normalise relations with Nicosia.