Cyprus talks

Cyprus' president says more offshore drilling in search for gas deposits will carry on as planned despite Turkey's "threats and unlawful actions" inside waters where the east Mediterranean island nation has exclusive economic rights.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has not ruled out a meeting with Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in October under the auspices of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which could pave the way for an informal five-party meeting including Greece and Turkey.

Cyprus' president says fears among Greek Cypriots that Turkey still wants to call the shots under a deal reunifying the ethnically split island nation is hampering peace efforts.

Turkey's foreign minister says Greek Cypriots must accept that Turkish Cypriots will have decision-making parity in governing a reunified Cyprus before any peace talks can resume.

The United Nations special envoy on the Cyprus dispute is to remain in Nicosia for further talks following Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci's failure to make progress in exploratory talks ahead of a new peace push on the divided island amid rising tensions in the region.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is meeting with party leaders on Monday at his residence in Troodos, ahead of a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on August 9.

Greece accused Turkey of undermining security in the eastern Mediterranean by drilling for oil and gas around Cyprus, making some of the strongest comments on the issue from Athens' newly elected government.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on his first trip abroad as PM held talks today with Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades and the two leaders confirmed that they will pursue Cyprus settlement talks on the condition that Ankara ceases its illegal drilling in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus.

Greek Cypriot leaders on ethnically split Cyprus have turned down a renewed proposal by breakaway Turkish Cypriots to form a joint committee on managing natural gas discovered offshore the east Mediterranean island nation.

Both Turkish Cyprus and Turkey will defend their "legitimate rights" following Greek Cyprus' unilateral moves to search for gas off the divided island of Cyprus, said Turkish Cyprus President Mustafa Akıncı.