Republic of Cyprus

We must rise to the occasion and undertake persuasive initiatives. Essentially, we must choose between a solution that establishes a federation and the permanent partition of Cyprus.

After three years without inter-communal dialogue and with Turkey stirring troubles from the Aegean to the Caucasus, the rise of the new Turkish-Cypriot leader does not presage positive developments.

Right after his election incoming Turkish-Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar dismissed the prospect of a federation (which the UN and the two sides had supported) and declared he wants a two-state solution.

The tanks belong to Turkey’s First Army in the Evros region, where all Turkish Army tanks with 120mm projectiles are kept (the Leopard 2A4 and the Israeli M-60T Sabra) along with modernised Leopard-1T tanks with 105mm projectiles.

The June 20-21 summit called on the European Commission and the EEAS to table “without delay” proposed 'targeted measures' against Turkey over its illegal drilling for hydrocarbons in Cyprus' EEZ.

The argument that perpetuation of the status quo on Cyprus benefits the Greek-Cypriot side or at least will not change the geopolitical realities is collapsing

Although the company which conducted the drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ expressed an interest in cooperating with Hellenic Petroleum on exploring Greece’s EEZ south of Crete, nothing has been done.

'We tell our friends the necessary words – don’t pressure us and don’t put us in a tight spot. That is the only way that mutual trust can develop,' Erdogan said