Sibiu

Michel Barnier, the European Union's chief negotiator for Brexit, reiterated on Monday EU readiness to respond accordingly in case Turkey carries out illegal hydrocarbon drilling activities, noting that the EU stands clearly behind Cyprus.

In Brussels on Monday, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis attended a meeting with representatives of the Eastern Partnership member states, advocating for strengthening this organisation.

Sibiu, a former European Capital of Culture in 2007, lived on Thursday the day when it turned into the political capital of the European Union, hosting a summit of the most important leaders of the continent, a moment that will go down in the history of a city that was more prepared than ever before, aware that it will write history.

European Council President Donald Tusk said there will be a special summit of EU leaders on May 28, two days after the end of the European election, to "start the process to nominate the next leaders of the EU institutions."

Top European officials on Thursday expressed their support for Cyprus in a dispute with Turkey, which has threatened to start drilling in the island's exclusive economic zone, as Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras appealed to Ankara for dialogue on the issue for the first time.

Federica Mogherini reminded the European public that support for European integration in the Balkans is enormous, reported NOVA TV. 

Prior to the start of the EU summit in Sibiu, EU foreign policy and security chief Federica Mogherini sent a message to the European public about the importance of integrating the Western Balkans into the Union.

By George Gilson

European Council President Donald Tusk has said that the EU is in Cyprus' corner as regards Turkey's violation of the Republic of Cyprus' sovereign right to drill in its own EEZ.

Cyprus' president slammed Turkey Thursday for an "unprecedented escalation of illegal action" in the eastern Mediterranean, equating Ankara's bid to drill for gas in waters where the Mediterranean island nation has exclusive economic rights as being tantamount to a new invasion.

Weeks ahead of European Parliament elections that will see the formation of a new Commission, EU leaders adopted a Declaration on Thursday at the close of the European Council summit in Sibiu, Romania, emphasizing the bloc's main directions for the next five-year cycle.

"Only a united and strong Europe can guarantee peace and justice." This was stated by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in his speech at the working lunch of the heads of state and government of the EU member states in the Romanian city of Sibiu.
European leaders are taking part in a summit in the Romanian city of Sibiu, a government press service said in a statement.