EU leaders are expected on Friday to call on Turkey to respect the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
According to EU sources in Brussels, the draft conclusions of the European Council that will be approved today, note that the EU expresses its deep concern over the new tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and calls on Turkey to show self-restraint and respect the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus in its EEZ.
Nicosia considers that its efforts have yielded the best possible results as regards the reference made in the conclusions with regard to the Turkish violations.
“We have achieved the maximum” a source has told CNA.
Deliberations to finalise the paragraph on the Turkish violations have been held between the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy`s office and the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades` aides, under Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides.
In a letter read out on Thursday by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras during the EPP Summit in Brussels, President Anastasiades informed them about the recent Turkish provocations and noted that Cyprus will exercise its veto against the opening of any new negotiating chapters in Turkey`s accession negotiations.
President Anastasiades also asked the EU to send a “strong collective message” to Turkey and not just make some lukewarm references and maintain equal distances between the parties involved, as this has “proved to be ineffective.”
Furthermore he noted that Turkish research vessel Barbaros, that has been violating Cyprus` EEZ since Monday, entering into some of its blocks, has approached Cypriot shores and oil companies conducting drilling operations in the Cypriot EEZ.
Anastasiades asked the EPP to show solidarity with an EU member state whose sovereignty and sovereign rights have been violated by a state that is candidate for EU membership.
Samaras has been authorised to convey Anastasiades` positions to the EU leaders, during the European Council meeting, as well.
President Anastasiades was unable to participate in the European Council meeting and the EPP Summit in Brussels, after suffering a prolonged nosebleed, due to high blood pressure.
He was admitted on Thursday to a Brussels Hospital where he underwent treatment.
Turkish seismic exploration vessel `Barbaros` entered Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) a few days after Turkey issued a maritime order (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.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.
