The statement, to be issued at an EU summit in Brussels, comes after Cyprus on Oct. 20 slammed Turkey for sending a survey vessel into an area where the Cypriot government had already licensed exploratory drilling for oil and gas.
"The European Council expresssed serious concern about the renewed tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. It called on Turkey to respect Cyprus' sovereign rights," said the statement prepared for the 28 EU leaders meeting in Brussels and obtained by AFP.
It added that in the current circumstances, it was "more important than ever to reach a comprehensive Cyprus settlement which would benefit all Cypriots."
Ankara has made clear repeatedly it will not accept Cypriot government development of offshore energy resources until the division of the island is resolved.
Cyprus earlier this month suspended its participation in U.N.-led peace talks, citing the dispute with Turkey over development of energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean.
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades would have met Turkish Cypriot counterpart Derviş Eroğlu if the talks had gone ahead.
Anastasiades, 68, arrived in Brussels to attend the EU summit but was briefly hospitalised with high blood pressure early Oct. 23.
Advised to rest, he asked Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to represent him at the meeting, the Cypriot government said.
In response to Ankara's action, Cyprus has also made clear it will block any new talks with Turkey on its EU membership bid.
AFP - hurriyetdailynews.com - mme.gr
23/10/14
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Related:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos’ statement regarding the presence of the Turkish research vessel Barbaros within the Cypriot EEZ
Greek Foreign Ministry Accuses Turkey of Cyprus Negotiations Breakdown
Turkey sends warships to Cyrpus exclusive economic zone
Turkey poses threat to talks on Cyprus settlement (Ioannis Kasoulides, Cypriot FM)
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