What is happening in the Mediterranean, both as regards Cyprus and the reunification of the island, and the issue of the exploitation of mineral resources by Turkey are issues which have a very offensive and provocative nature, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said.

Speaking during a Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) meeting on Monday, Merkel noted that “unfortunately the progress of EU – Turkey relations is not so noteworthy as I would like. We made a lot of efforts as regards the EU – Turkey relations. There is a series of obstacles and difficulties which come continuously to the forefront and so we will have to wait and see how the discussion will evolve in December, but it has not proceeded as I hoped it would.”

The German Chancellor noted that “Turkey follows a route during the last years, which according to our understanding of values and beliefs, is subject to a lot of criticism. What is happening in the Mediterranean, both as regards Cyprus and the reunification of the island, and the issue of the exploitation of mineral resources by Turkey are issues which have a very offensive and provocative nature I would say.”

Merkel said that “it is a good sign that Oruc Reis has returned to a Turkish port, but we still have drilling operations off the coast of Cyprus. We have said that during the European Council in December we will address this issue once again and we will think how to react to the whole situation. This will take place on December 10 and 11 as we have planned to do so.”

The German Chancellor also said that Turkey is a country that has most probably received most refugees in the world due to the conflict in Syria and noted that “I am in favour of keep supporting Turkey as regards this issue.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Ankara sent on several occasions seismic research vessels to Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), to conduct unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, 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.