Πηγή: CyprusMail
Nov 9 2011
British Foreign Secretary William Hague has “fully and unequivocally” pledged British support for Cyprus rights to explore its exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
In a meeting with Cyprus’ foreign minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Hague said: “It is very important to reinforce our bilateral relations, which are strong and important for many reasons. Being in the EU and the Commonwealth together but also because of our common interests in so many regional affairs”.
He said: “We have got a very good basis for those bilateral relations-the Memorandum which President Christofias and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed three years ago. We want to build on that”.
In turn, Marcoullis said she was "very satisfied" with the discussions: "I believe we can start a new effort in our relations, which are, of course on a high level, but there is room to improve them.”
“We wish to support that and help in any way that we can at a very difficult time in European affairs” Hague said.
Hague said he and Marcoullis have discussed Cyprus’ forthcoming EU presidency and the situation around the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Egypt and Libya.
On the Cyprus issue, Hague said “in the UK as in all the countries in Europe we want to see a settlement in Cyprus. The lines along which we want to see that are very well established. We welcome the talks that have taken place recently under the auspices of the UN Secretary General. We look forward to further progress in those talks”.
In her remarks, Marcoullis said they had a very thorough discussion on a number of issues of mutual concern, primarily the Cyprus question and the developments regarding the negotiations and the meetings in New York.
At the same time, she added, “we have important project of exploratory drilling in the EEZ of Cyprus and the UK reiterated its support for the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its EEZ both orally and in many other ways and we are very grateful for this support on the part of the UK”
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