Greek PM Alexis Tsipras (L) and Cypriot PM Nicos Anastasiades
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades are expected to raise the issue of Turkish provocations in the eastern Mediterranean during Thursday’s European Council summit in Brussels.
According to government officials quoted by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, the two leaders will call for the adoption of stronger measures, as long as Turkey country insists on its actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Tsipras will stress that this is not just a matter of demonstrating solidarity with Cyprus but a broader risk prevention strategy as well, which affects the whole of the European Union.
Greece and Cyprus will unequivocally condemn Turkey’s unlawful actions in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Aegean, highlighting their impact on EU-Turkey relations, following the decisions taken by the General Affairs Council of the European Union.
Turkey launches second drillship
The summit takes place as a launching ceremony took place for Turkey’s second drilling ship, the Yavuz, which will operate to the northeast of Cyprus.
General Manager Melih Han Bilgin from Turkey’s main oil exploration company Turkiye Petrolleri, told reporters that the vessel is slated to begin drilling in the region in early July.
Anlık kendim çektim, Yavuz Sondaj Gemimiz. Yarın yola çıkıyormuş, Allah muvaffak etsin…🇹🇷🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/ENmCyNKLX1
— cttslar (@cttslar) June 19, 2019