EP: Mini session to discuss Turkey's illegal actions in Cyprus EEZ

The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament decided on Tuesday in Strasbourg to discuss the illegal actions of Turkey in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone during the mini session of the European Parliament to be held in Brussels, November 12-13.

According to CNA sources, the issue will be included in the agenda of the mini session plenary, which is not different from the monthly plenary held in Strasbourg, under the title “Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus”.

Turkish seismic exploration vessel `Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa "entered Cyprus" Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Monday. The move comes a few days after Turkey issued a maritime order, or NAVTEX, for the area. This prompted President Nicos Anastasiades to suspend his participation in the UN backed negotiations which aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.

The National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus issue, adopted on Tuesday a package of eight measures with immediate effect in response to the continuing violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its EEZ by Turkey.

Among others, the Republic of Cyprus will not consent to the opening of any new chapter in Turkey’s accession process and will conduct a study of the possibility of recourse to the Security Council of the United Nations. Moreover, President Anastasiades will report Turkey to the European Council, which convenes on 23 and 24 October, with a view to condemning the illegal actions of Turkey and the violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its Exclusive Economic Zone.