U.S. Supports Cypriot EEZ Development

When queried over the issue concerning Turkey's illegal EEZ activity, U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf stated, "...continues to strongly support the negotiation process conducted under UN good offices to reunify the island into a bizonal and bicommunal federation. That's obviously been our policy for a long time," according to Parikiaki.

When asked to reply to Cyprus' stance that current occurrences are another example of a Turkish invasion, Harf claimed, "well, I haven't seen those comments, but we continue to believe that the island's oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between both communities in the context of an overall settlement. And it's important, I think, to avoid actions that may increase tensions in the region."

The National Council which serves as President Nicos Anastasiades' leading advisory entity, has enacted 8 measures over the ongoing Turkish violations. Earlier, the Cypriot President temporarily halted his own efforts in UN-supported negotiations between the two territories of the island, after Turkey instructed a NAVTEX maritime order in the territory of Southern Cyprus. The Turkish vessel Barbaros arrived in Cyprus' EEZ zone on Monday.