State Department reiterates recognition of Cyprus' right to develop resources in its EEZ

FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE • Friday, 24 October, 2014
The US State Department has reiterated its recognition of Cyprus` right to develop its resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone (ΕΕΖ) and has said that it continues to `convey broadly` that tensions should be avoided over hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Replying to questions by the press on Thursday, State Department spokesperson Jennifer Psaki said that “we recognize the Republic of Cyprus’s right to develop its resources in its exclusive economic zone”.

We continue, she added, “to support strongly the negotiation process conducted under UN good offices to reunify the island into a bizonal and bicommunal federation”.

At the same time she noted that “we continue to believe that the island’s oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between communities in the context of an overall settlement”.

According to Psaki “it’s important to avoid actions that may increase tensions in the region. And certainly we convey that as well”.

Asked whether the State Department has asked Turkey or Cyprus to avoid tensions, she replied that “we are continuing to convey that broadly and certainly we believe that’s how things should proceed”.

Replying to a question as to whether the Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to stop provocative actions Psaki said she didn`t “have anything to read out in terms of the Secretary’s conversations”, adding that “we remain engaged at senior level with the governments”.

“We also support the UN Special Advisor’s efforts to bring the parties back to the table and we are in close touch with him as well”, she said.
— (KYPE

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