French State Secretary for European Affairs Clément Beaune expressed on Friday his country’s strong support for the positions of the Republic of Cyprus, which are in accordance with international law. Beaune, accompanied by Cyprus’ Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides and National Guard Chief, Demokritos Zervakis, flew with a helicopter over Cyprus to witness firsthand Turkish illegal activities in block 6 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, as well as over Varosha, the fenced off city of Famagusta.

Petrides and Beaune met on Friday at “Zenon” Coordination Centre, in Larnaca, and discussed bilateral relations in the area of defence and security, cooperation in the framework of PESCO, joint support for humanitarian operations and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence says.

Focusing on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Petrides also informed Beaune over ongoing Turkish unlawful activities, which create problems with regard to the security of the Republic of Cyprus and the EU, as well as in relation to the stability of the broader region, the announcement adds.

From his part, the French State Secretary for European Affairs “expressed the strong support of his country for the positions of Cyprus, which are in accordance with international law.”

At noon, Beaune, Petrides and Zervakis boarded a helicopter and had the chance to witness firsthand Turkish illegal activities in block 6 of Cyprus’ EEZ, as well as in Varosha, the announcement concludes.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.

Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Ankara sent on several occasions its seismic research vessel ‘Barbaros’ to Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), following the Republic of Cyprus’ decision, in 2011, to start exploratory offshore drilling. After May 2019, Turkey caused a stir by sending consecutively two drill ships, “Fatih” and “Yavuz”, to conduct unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, at times in areas licensed by Cyprus to international energy companies.

The European Council reaffirmed its full solidarity with Cyprus, regarding the respect of its sovereignty and sovereign rights in accordance with international law and in February 2020, placed two persons under restrictive measures, in relation to Turkey`s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’. UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus should be extended to include Varosha.