Continents

Leaders of the Greek- and Cypriot-American diaspora, from the Hellenic American Leadership Council and the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus have responded to remarks by the Secretary-General of Cyprus' communist AKEL party, Andros Kyprianou, criticizing US policy in the eastern Mediterranean. The full text follows:

The United States has reiterated its call to Turkey not to proceed with offshore drilling operations within Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and repeated its support of the Mediterranean island's right to exploit and develop its oil and gas resources.

Turkey and Azerbaijan have launched a joint military drill at the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on June 8, according to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Matthew Palmer, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, has warned against Turkey's plans for offshore drilling operations within Cyprus' exclusive economic zone, while reiterating Washington's support of the Mediterranean island's right to exploit and develop its oil and gas resources.

President Vladimir Putin on June 8 praised the Turkey-Russia cooperation on TurkStream, a project that will transport Russian gas to Turkey.

The second Turkish drillship that will be dispatched to the Eastern Mediterranean, the Yavuz, will be protected by frigates, according to comments Friday by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who reiterated that Ankara will protect the rights of Turkish Cypriots regarding drilling and exploration in the region.

Turkey on June 7 stressed its commitment to protecting the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean after the Greek Cypriot administration said it had signed contracts with major energy industry players.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Friday said Friday the country will start offshore drilling activities within Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) "in the near future," unless the  EU member-state halts its own operations in the area.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country is determined to protect Turkish Cypriots' rights to gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Croatian capital of Zagreb held its 18th Pride March on Saturday at which LGBTQI+ people, families and supporters gathered in front of the Mimara Museum and staged a march across the city centre, ending in Ribnjak Park, where the "Le Zbor" choir held a concert.