The Cyprus problem, energy developments and Turkish provocations in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as well as bilateral relations will be among the issues the Foreign Minister of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides will discuss on Saturday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
 
The UAE Minister, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus, will have a tête-à-tête with Christodoulides, to be followed by extensive consultations with the participation of officials. According to a Foreign Ministry announcement, the two Ministers will take stock of Cyprus-UAE bilateral relations and examine ways to further strengthen them. They will also exchange views on EU-UAE relations, the wider Middle East and the Gulf region, among others.
 
It is noted that Christodoulides will have the chance to brief his counterpart about the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue, the progress in implementing the energy program of the Republic of Cyprus, as well about the illegal activities and provocations on the part of Turkey within Cyprus’ EEZ.
 
After their consultations, the two Foreign Ministers will sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates concerning the establishment of a Joint Cooperation Committee, as well as an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement and will subsequently address members of the Press.
 
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. 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.
 
Last month Turkey issued a navigational telex, announcing its intention to start drilling off Cyprus until September 3. “Fatih”, accompanied by three service ships, is located almost 40 nautical miles west of the Akamas peninsula and 83 nautical miles from the Turkish coast. The area falls within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus.