EU sides with Greek Cypriots in oil spat

The European Union has once again supported the Greek Cypriot administration in an oil spat between Nicosia and Ankara that stemmed from a tender for oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.

As the results of the bidding are expected to be announced on Thursday, the EU Commission said the Greek Cypriots have every right to conclude international agreements.
Commission spokesperson Pietro Petrucci told Today’s Zaman that the Republic of Cyprus was fully sovereign for the international agreements it concludes and that its right to sign these agreements could not be questioned. Stressing that Brussels was following the unfolding events very closely, Petrucci said they have been calling on both sides for moderation and restraint. The only thing the commission could say about the agreement is that it should be in line with EU legislation.

EU diplomats say Greek Cyprus is now an EU member and that Brussels cannot do anything but support its member country in the standoff. “We can only show solidarity with Cyprus” said one diplomat.

Zaman