European Union leaders criticized Turkey on Friday over its recent actions in disputed waters claimed by Cyprus , warning Ankara to respect Cyprus' sovereignty.
Turkey sent a research vessel and two navy ships into disputed waters south of Cyprus earlier this month. In protest, Nicos Anastasiades , Cyprus' president, suspended peace talks with the Turkish-controlled north of the island. The dispute is the latest flash point in a long-running dispute over who has the rights to the natural gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean.
In a statement by EU leaders at their summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, the bloc expressed "serious concerns" about the tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.
The leaders urged Turkey "to show restraint, and to respect Cyprus' sovereignty over its territorial sea and Cyprus' sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone."
"It is more important than ever to ensure a positive climate" that can allow talks on a permanent settlement for Cyprus to move ahead, the statement said.
The Cypriot government was pleased with the "strict message the EU sent Ankara...for its illegal activities in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone," said Nikos Christodoulides , the government spokesman.
On Thursday evening, diplomats had said there was still some back-and-forth happening over the language. Cypriot diplomats have argued that Nicosia deserves strong EU backing after the island government agreed to support sanctions on Russia despite the economic damage they could cause at home.
But the final statement on Friday included stronger wording than earlier drafts and what was originally anticipated by the Cypriot side, with leaders making reference to a 2005 EU declaration stating that "recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the accession process."
For Cyprus , the reference to the 2005 declaration was "the most important element in the conclusions" as " Turkey is clearly called to recognize Cyprus as part of its accession process," Mr. Christodoulides said.
Leaders discussed the issue Thursday evening, with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras representing Cyprus' position. Mr. Anastasiades was hospitalized after complaining of acute nose bleeds caused by high blood pressure.
The dispute could create a fresh obstacle to progress on Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU, which have dragged on for nine years with little progress.
Turkey has recently pushed for headway in the talks, and the EU's executive has recommended member states begin discussions on two key policy areas in the coming months. That is a move that needs the backing of all 28 member states, and Cyprus has already said it would veto progress unless Turkey backs off.
Ever since a giant gas field was discovered off Israel in 2010--and amid indications of vast hydrocarbon reserves in the area--the countries of the eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus , Turkey , Israel , Egypt and Greece , have all been jockeying for control of those resources.
More recently, the U.S. has stepped in. In May, Vice President Joe Biden visited Cyprus --the first visit by a U.S. vice president in more than 50 years--in an effort to nudge along the peace talks, declaring that the island, with its gas reserves, could serve as a source of "peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean."
