EU calls on Turkey to respect Cyprus’ sovereign rights

The European Union has called on Turkey to respect Cyprus’ sovereign rights and condemned it's actions in Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean. 

The EU28 in a meeting in Brussels on Thursday called on Turkey to cease all illegal activity in the Republic of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone and normalize its relations with Nicosia, in the Spring European Council official conclusions.

Μore specifically, in the final text, under the title “Actions by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea”, the EU28 agreed on the following:

The European Council strongly condemns Turkey`s continued illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea and underlines its full solidarity with Cyprus and Greece,” said the final text of the European Council’s statement circulated late on Thursday.

Recalling its conclusions of October 2014 and the declaration of 21 September 2005, the European Council urgently calls on Turkey to cease these actions and respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus to explore and exploit its natural resources in accordance with EU and international law.

In this context, it recalls Turkey`s obligation to respect international law and good neighbourly relations, and normalise relations with all EU member states including the Republic of Cyprus.”