President of Ireland Michael Higgins who is paying a state visit  to Cyprus was officially welcomed by Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, on Monday morning at the Presidential Palace.
 
During their talks, President Anastasiades is expected to inform his Irish counterpart about the Turkish provocations and illegal actions in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and about developments in the Cyprus problem. Moreover, the two Presidents will discuss EU issues, and more particularly Brexit, as well as the migration issue and climate change.
 
After Higgins’ arrival at the Presidential Palace a military guard presented honours.  Following that, the national anthems of Ireland and Cyprus were performed. Higgins also laid a wreath at the statue of the late Archbishop Makarios and first President of Cyprus and each President presented his delegation to the other.

After that, the two Presidents walked to the staircase at the entrance of the Presidential Palace where a red carpet was laid, shook hands and entered the building.
 
The two leaders had a one to one meeting, followed by talks between the two countries` delegations.  After the consultations, the two Presidents will make statements to the press.
 
Higgins, who arrived to Cyprus on Sunday with his spouse Sabina, is accompanied, among others, by Minister for Justice and Equality of Ireland Charles Flanagan.
 
President Anastasiades will host on Monday evening an official banquet in honour of President Higgins.
 
According to a navigational warning issued by Turkey, Turkish drill ship "Yavuz", which has returned to Cyprus’ EEZ, will carry out drilling operations inside block 7, located off the south-western coast of Cyprus. Block 7 has been licensed by the government of Cyprus to France’s Total and Italy’s ENI for drilling operations.
 
"Yavuz”, was anchored off the island’s north-eastern coast on July 8 and operated within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus, until September 17, when it departed for a Turkish port in Mersin.
 
Moreover, Turkey issued a navigational telex (navtex), announcing its intention to start drilling off Cyprus and since 4 May 2019, the Turkish drill ship “Fatih” has been anchored 36 nautical miles west of Akamas peninsula. The area falls within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus. Ankara extended the navtex until November 1, 2019.
 
Cyprus has called on drill ship “Yavuz” and its supporting vessels to immediately cease illegal actions in the Republic’ Exclusive Economic Zone and its continental shelf.
 
A navigational telex, published on the website of the Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre (JRCC) stationed in Larnaca, also warned all those working on "Yavuz" and its supporting vessels that they will face consequences and an international arrest warrant will be issued against them.

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 last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

CNA - Maria Koniotou