U.S. supports Cyprus’ sovereign rights

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis met with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale over the weekend.

The talks focused on bilateral relations between Cyprus and the United States, as well as the exchange of views on the Cyprus issue, current developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the situation in the Middle East.

Hale reiterated US support for the Republic of Cyprus’ right to exploit its natural resources including hydrocarbon development that would aim to “provide durable energy security and economic prosperity throughout the Mediterranean,” according to the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus. He also added that these resources should be “equitably shared between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.”

The U.S. diplomat’s brief visit to Cyprus came amid growing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

On Friday, EU foreign ministers expressed “full solidarity” with Greece and Cyprus and urged an “immediate de-escalation” by Turkey. However, on Sunday they announced that the Yavuz drilling vessel would be conducting a month-long hydrocarbons search off Cyprus´ southwestern coast.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the move. “Today’s announcement by Turkey of renewed drilling activities by the Yavuz vessel in a maritime zone which has been delineated by Cyprus and Egypt regrettably fuels further tensions and insecurity in the Eastern Mediterranean. This action runs counter and undermines efforts to resume dialogue and negotiations, and to pursue immediate de-escalation, which is the only path towards stability and lasting solutions, as reiterated by EU Foreign Ministers last Friday. I call on the Turkish authorities to end these activities immediately and to engage fully and in good faith in a broad dialogue with the European Union,” Borrell said.