UNSG Special Envoy to Cyprus' Recent Remarks Upset Athens & Nicosia

The UN Special Advisor offered statements to CNA, that Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman Konstantinos Koutras rapidly replied to. Koutras commented, "We recommend that Mr. Eide studies carefully how the international Law of the Sea is applied in practice during the development of hydrocarbon resources in Norway's Exclusive Economic Zone before he talks about the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus," as reported by Parikiaki.

During an interview with CNA, the UNSG Special Advisor for Cyprus claimed that various nations do not agree that seismic analyses in Exclusive Economic Zones are always a breach of the UN treaty, concerning the matter. Additionally, Eide referenced "interpretations" that question the Republic of Cyprus' current legal position.

The Cypriot government is also not in agreement with Eide's statements. The UNSG Special Advisor for Cyprus is currently in the nation this week. He recently remarked that UN-approved discussions by both sides of the island are predicted to restart in the near future. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades withdrew from the discussions last fall, after Turkey illegally entered the EEZ zone to conduct seismic surveys by its Barbaros ship.