The head of the Romanian Southern Cyprus Administration, Nicos Anastasiades , met, on Wednesday, with the Egyptian Presidents Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Greek, Kyriakos Mitsotakis , within the framework of tripartite cooperation between them to hurt the Turkish influence over the Mediterranean Sea.
The three leaders held a joint press conference, following the meeting, which took place in Cyprus, within the framework of cooperation, according to media reports published online .
Nicos Anastasiades claimed that the tripartite cooperation aims to provide “peace and security” in the eastern Mediterranean , and not against any country [Turkey]. He said that the three countries strongly condemn Turkish influence in the closed “Marash”, and its exploration activities in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.
He pointed out that during the meeting they discussed the results of the presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , pointing out that he invited President Arsen Tatar to meet him informally.
For his part, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said that the tripartite cooperation constitutes their common vision in various fields and coordinates their theses on regional and international issues .
In turn, Michotakis accused Turkey of “violating international law” , claiming that “peace ” is the common compass of the tripartite cooperation.
He stressed that Greece supported the Romanian part of Cyprus continuously and without hesitation.
The political process between the two halves of Cyprus has stalled since the collapse of the UN-backed talks in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana in July 2017 .
Since 1974, the island of Cyprus has been divided between two halves, Turkey in the north and Rumi in the south, and in 2004 the Greek Cypriots rejected a plan presented by the United Nations to unify the two parts of the island.
The eastern Mediterranean region is experiencing tension as Greece continues to take unilateral steps with the Romanian Cypriot side and some countries in the region regarding areas of maritime jurisdiction.
Athens also neglects to deal positively with Ankara’s offer to negotiate issues related to the eastern Mediterranean , the Aegean, and find fair solutions to the problems.
Meanwhile, the Turkish side renews its firm stance towards taking the necessary measures against unilateral steps.
