ENERGY: Cyprus FM will discuss Turkish drilling threats in France visit

Energy issues and Turkey’s tension-raising actions in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will be the focus of meetings Cyprus Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides will have on May 7, in Paris.

The Foreign Minister will hold key talks with French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian and Stéphane Michel, President of Middle East / North Africa, Exploration and Production Division of Total.

France’s Total is licenses to explore and exploit several blocks in Cyprus’ EEZ.

He will also discuss cooperation between Nicosia and Paris, as well as the issue of France’s participation in the trilateral cooperation scheme among Cyprus, Greece and Egypt.

According to his schedule, Christodoulides will also meet on Tuesday afternoon the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed forces of the French Senate Christian Cambon.

 After that Christodoulides will hold talks with Le Drian, to be followed by a meeting with the Secretary of State for European Affairs Amélie de Montchalin and then Secretary of State to the Minister of the Armed Forces Geneviève Darrieussecq.