Cypriot government

Cypriot government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou has condemned Turkish activities inside Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) describing it as an invasion of the Mediterranean island's maritime domain.
"This is certainly an invasion of Cyprus' territorial waters," Prodromou told Skai radio on Wednesday.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades received assurances of Greece's unwavering support for Nicosia's positions vis-a-vis growing tensions with Turkey in a "lengthy" telephone conversation between the two heads of state.

Cypriot government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou has welcomed calls by the US State Department late Monday for Turkey's Yavuz drillship to cease its activities off Cyprus' northeastern coast and its removal from the island's territorial waters.

Two Turkish drill ships are continuing operations in the eastern Mediterranean and another ship will join them this month, Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said, as a dispute over natural resources there fuels tensions between Turkey and Cyprus.

The new Greek government will toe the line of its predecessor on the urgent need for and the safeguarding of the construction of the Crete-Attica power interconnection project, while supporting the international connection of Greece with Cyprus and Israel, according to statements made by Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis after his visit to Cyprus.

The Cypriot government closely follows developments and the Turkish Cypriot side's actions with regard to the closed off area of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha, a government source has told CNA, noting that representations have been made where they ought to be made.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will not do any new lending in Turkey linked to the government until at least the end of the year while it carries out a strategy review.The move is part of a European Union decision earlier this month to symbolically punish Turkey over what it calls "illegal" drilling for oil and gas off Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking ahead of a vote of confidence in Parliament on Monday, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias sought to send a message to Turkey over its increasingly aggressive tactics in the region.

"Greece does not tolerate threats of war," Dendias said. "It's guide is respect for international law," he said.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' official visit to Cyprus on July 29 and the latest developments on the island state were discussed in a phone call with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Monday.
According to Cypriot government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou, the two sides exchanged views, discussed their policy plans and are "fully aligned" in their targets.

A second Turkish drillship arrived on Monday off the coast of Cyprus, just south of the Karpasia (Kaspas) peninsula.
Just before midnight, Turkey issued NAVTEX 765/19, according to which Yavuz will drill until September 30 with the help of three supporting vessels, "VOS PRIME," "VOS PRINCE" and "POSH SINCERE."