Commonwealth leaders support Cyprus energy search

The Heads of Government of the Commonwealth on Friday expressed their solidarity towards Cyprus in the peace process and against Turkey’s illegal actions in the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou, accompanying President Anastasiades at the CHOGM summit in London, told reporters that a Joint Communique will include an explicit reference to Cyprus.

The Heads of Government, including President Anastasiades, had the opportunity to hold a free discussion between them.

A Statement by the Heads of States and a Joint Communique has an explicit reference to Cyprus and the UN-backed peace process.

“More specifically, the Heads of Commonwealth States express their support for the sovereignty, the independence and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, also supporting the efforts for a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus issue," said Prodromou.

“It is important that the Heads of the Commonwealth States express solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus on exercising its sovereign rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone," he added.

The Communique appeals for respect of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea but also calls on Turkey to refrain from acts or statements or any other aggressive behaviour that threatens the stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“The President thanked the Commonwealth for its continuing support of the Republic of Cyprus and for its principled position in the Joint Communique.”

Turkish PM Recep Erdogan has warned foreign energy companies not to "overstep the mark" in the Mediterranean after Turkey's warships blocked the Italian drilling vessel on February 9.