LONDON: Britain is concerned by Turkey’s intention to begin offshore drilling operations in an area claimed by Cyprus as its exclusive economic zone, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday.
“Concerned by Turkey’s announcement to begin drilling in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone,” Hunt said.
“This situation must be deescalated and all parties show restraint,” he said. “Hydrocarbons development should benefit all Cypriots and support a settlement.”
Turkey and the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government have overlapping claims of jurisdiction for offshore oil and gas research in the eastern Mediterranean, a region thought to be rich in natural gas.
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Britain concerned by Turkey’s intention to drill off Cyprus
Britain concerned by Turkey’s intention to drill off Cyprus
Syrian president announces deal with Kurds including truce
- After meeting US envoy Tom Barrack, Sharaa told reporters at Damascus’s presidential palace that “I recommend a complete ceasefire”
DAMASCUS: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Sunday announced an agreement with the chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, that includes a ceasefire after government forces advanced in Kurdish-held areas of the north and east.
After meeting US envoy Tom Barrack, Sharaa told reporters at Damascus’s presidential palace that “I recommend a complete ceasefire,” adding that a meeting with Abdi was postponed until Monday due to poor weather but that “in order to calm the situation, we decided to sign the agreement.”
The presidency published the text of the signed, 14-point deal, which includes integrating the SDF and Kurdish security forces into the defense and interior ministries, the immediate handover of Kurdish-run Deir Ezzor and Raqqa provinces to the government, and for Damascus to take responsibility for Daesh group prisoners and their families held in Kurdish-run jails and camps.
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