Cyprus–Turkey maritime zones dispute

In a bid to revive confidence-building measures between Greece and Turkey, a delegation of Turkish military officials arrived in Athens on Monday for talks until Friday with their Greek counterparts in the presence of diplomats from both countries.

The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued a statement regarding the comments made by Sir Allan Duncan on Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"'We are following developments in the Eastern Mediterranean with concern. We would like to see the situation deescalated."

Cyprus' Foreign Ministry has summoned the British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie to explain the British stance on Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) following statements made Tuesday in the British Parliament by UK Minister for Europe Alan Duncan.

In a sign that Ankara is further ratcheting up tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez suggested that the country's plans to start drilling off Cyprus are within its sovereign rights, calling on "all sides to respect the research and drilling exercises within our continental shelf."

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.

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.

European Council President Donald Tusk says the European Union "stands united" behind Cyprus as tensions between the Mediterranean island nation and Turkey escalate over offshore gas drilling.

Speaking Thursday after an informal EU summit in Romania, Tusk said the EU "expects Turkey to respect the sovereign rights" of its member nation and the bloc will closely monitor the situation.

Turkey on May 7 rejected a recent French statement on Ankara-led drilling activities in its own continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Greece and Cyprus have responded with calm and caution to the tension being stirred up in the Eastern Mediterranean by a Turkey that feels isolated. At the same time, they are taking advantage of regional cooperation schemes and international alliances that have cross-party and long-term support domestically, and are therefore likely to remain unchanged.

The head of the European Parliament said on Monday Turkey's intention to drill within Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) violates international law and called on the country to avoid raising tension in the region.