[PIO] Statements by the President of the Republic on his meeting with the US Assistant Secretary of State

Nothing prevents Turkey from having a say and role in the energy issues of the Mediterranean, if and when it agrees with the Republic of Cyprus on the demarcation lines of the EEZ of each of the two countries, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades said today.

In his statements to reporters after the ceremony of handing over the marina and port of Larnaca to the investor, and to a question whether during his meeting yesterday with US Undersecretary of State Ms Victoria Nuland he conveyed a message from Ankara, where Ms Nuland was before going to Cyprus, and asked to comment on her references in interviews suggesting an energy union with the occupied territories before a solution to the Cyprus problem is reached, the President said "no, what she conveyed is not the upgrading of the occupied territories, it's the need for Turkey to be involved in the Mediterranean energy.

And of course the answer was clear that, no one is preventing Turkey from having a say and a role if and when, of course, it agrees with the Republic of Cyprus on the demarcation lines of the EEZ of each of the two countries."

Asked about EastMed and what is being said by US officials, the President said that "what we are waiting for is the final report which is funded by the EU. And I repeat, it was the position from the beginning - hence the study is being done - if it is viable, if the investors are there, if the sea bed allows it then it will be done. It is not a matter of a decision by the US Government for a European project.

What everyone is seeing - and it is very important - is the need for the EU to become independent of certain markets and the alternative gas supply routes to Europe and the closest one is none other than the Eastern Mediterranean basin."

What everyone is seeing - and it is very important - is the need for the EU to become independent of certain markets and the alternative gas supply routes to Europe and the closest one is none other than the Eastern Mediterranean basin.

Asked if it will take some time to complete the study, the President of the Republic replied in the affirmative.

(PM/NG/IK)
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