The European External Action Service (EEAS) called on Turkey on Friday 4 October to accept the invitation of the Cypriot government to discuss Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), while Ankara sent a new ship to the Cypriot EEZ on the same day.
“Turkey should address the issue of delimitation of Exclusive Economic Zones and the continental shelf through dialogue and negotiation, in good faith and in full respect for international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighbourly relations”, the EEAS explained in a statement issued following a telephone conversation between Ms Mogherini and the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulides.
Turkey is pursuing its drilling activities 45 nautical miles off the southern coast of Cyprus, while “intensified efforts are ongoing for the resumption of Cyprus settlement talks”, the EEAS said.
“Turkey needs to refrain from such actions and respect the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus to explore and exploit its natural resources in accordance with international law in its EEZ”, the European Diplomatic Service stressed.
The issue of Turkish drilling will be on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 October, the EEAS announced, adding that Ms Mogherini and Mr Christodoulides had discussed the possibility of taking targeted measures in connection with Turkish actions. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)