Ahead of summit in Egypt, PM visits Cyprus

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades are due to continue talks in Nicosia on Friday after the New Democracy leader arrived on the Eastern Mediterranean island yesterday to back Cyprus’s right to explore for hydrocarbons in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

After a working dinner with Anastasiades on Thursday, Samaras criticized Turkey’s decision to send the Barbaros seismic research vessel into Cyprus’s EEZ. “Unfortunately, Turkey has once again chosen to follow a policy that has no relation to international law,” said the Greek premier.

“Greece is observing the situation with prudence and a clear head and fully supports President Anastasiades’s decision to suspend his participation in the [reunification] talks until other conditions prevail,” added Samaras, who expressed hope that Ankara would help create such conditions.

Samaras is due to hold a new round of talks with Anastasiades on Friday. He will also meet with other party leaders. The Greek premier is then due to fly to Cairo, where he, Anastasiades and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will hold a summit on Saturday. Energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean is expected to be one of the main items on the agenda, with Greece hoping to outline its own EEZ in the future.