09/05/2019 (Agence Europe) – The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, took the opportunity during the Sibiu Summit on Thursday 9 May to call once again on Turkey to respect Cyprus' sovereign rights. Ankara has announced that it intends to carry out drilling activities, including in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus (see EUROPE 12248/14). "The European Union stands united behind the Republic of Cyprus and expects Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of the EU Member State", he stated at the end of the summit. “The European Council will continue to follow these developments closely”, warned Mr Tusk. At the meeting, the Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades, briefed his counterparts on the situation. He had hoped that the EU would go further, by considering "the use of restrictive measures against those involved in Turkey's illegal actions in the EEZ”. (CG)