Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has rebuked the UN’s envoy on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, over comments the later made during an interview with Greek newspaper to Vema suggesting a possible crisis concerning oil and gas exploration rights.
Eide’s pre-emptive comments infuriated Anastasiades as they come a few months after the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s threat in March that it would "take all necessary measures to protect its interests" in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as those of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey is also said to claim part of gas exploration areas, or blocks, off Cyprus’ western and southern coast.
Anastasiades described the comments as "unacceptable" and a "threat" ahead of new attempts for reunification talks.
Eide had made similar remarks earlier this month saying an "international crisis" could lead to a collapse of reunification talks altogether.
"I regret that I’m being harsh about it, but I’ve made complaints directly that I consider such remarks unacceptable, especially if they’re made in the form of a threat," President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters.
