UK Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt in Cyprus for talks

UK Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt who took over her duties on the 1st of May this year is in Cyprus amid tensions over Turkish activities in the Cypriot EEZ.

Minister of Defence Savvas Angelides met today with his British counterpart and expressed the Cyprus government’s satisfaction over the unanimous decision of the European Council to include in its conclusions references to the illegal Turkish activities in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

According to a press release, Angelides had the opportunity to brief Mordaunt on the aggressive actions of Turkey in the Republic of Cyprus’ EEZ. The Minister indicated that the drilling activities conducted by Turkey violate Cyprus’ sovereign rights, European law and the Law of the Sea and at the same time put the stability of the whole region of the Eastern Mediterranean at risk.

Furthermore, the two Ministers discussed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on ways to enhance it, based on the memorandum of cooperation signed recently.