The U.S. threw its weight behind the Cyprus government on Wednesday over the continuing standoff with Turkish military ships in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
American ambassador Kathleen A. Doherty was speaking after a meeting with recently re-elected Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.
“I relayed to the president that the United States feels very strongly that the Republic of Cyprus has the right to explore and exploit its resources in the exclusive economic zone,” Doherty said.
Doherty also said the issue of the stymied energy exploration in Block 3 of Cyprus’ EEZ had been raised with the Turkish leadership by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during his recent visit to Ankara.
Turkey has received criticism of its activities in the EEZ where Turkish warships have impeded a drilling vessel being run by Italian energy giant ENI.
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