The US recognizes the Republic of Cyprus` right to develop its resources in its EEZ, the State Department has said.

A spokesperson for the State Department said “the U.S. policy on Cyprus’s EEZ is longstanding – We recognize the Republic of Cyprus’s right to develop its resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone”.

It added that it continues “to believe 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”. At the same time, it said “we continue to discourage actions that increase tensions in the region.”

French energy company Total in consortium with Italian Eni, is set to start drilling in Block 11 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by the end of this week.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern part. UN-backed talks that took place on June 28-July 7, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended inconclusively. Peace talks aim to reunite Cyprus under a federal roof.