Greece, Cyprus and Egypt foreign ministers meet in Nicosia

The foreign ministers of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt meet Wednesday in Nicosia as a row over rights to hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean continues.

The meeting between Ioannis Kasoulides, Evangelos Venizelos and Sameh Hassan Shoukry takes place as part of preparations for a trilateral summit between the leaders of the three countries in Cairo on November 8.

Talks Wednesday are expected to focus on energy, security and tourism.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is to make an official visit to Cyprus on November 7.

Meanwhile, the Turkish survey ship Barbaros, escorted by one warship, continues its seismic studies within Cyprus's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), officials in Nicosia said. They said that drilling in Cyprus's offshore block 9 by the ENI/KOGAS consortium has not been affected.

Nicosia recently announced a series of counter-measures in response to Turkey's violation of the island's sovereign rights – including a decision to block Ankara's membership talks with the European Union.