A huge forest blaze in Cyprus has killed four people, destroyed homes and forced evacuations of villages as Greece, Israel and other countries deployed fire-fighting aircraft to the Mediterranean island.

The fire began Saturday afternoon and has swept through districts in the southern foothills of the Troodos mountains as the country grapples with a blistering heatwave.

"It is a tragedy," President Nicos Anastasiades said on Twitter, describing it as "the largest fire since 1974" when the island was divided after Turkey occupied its northern third.&nbsp;

The blaze had caused "loss of life" and destroyed property and forest lands, Anastasiades said, adding that&nbsp;"the government will provide immediate assistance to the victims and the families of the victims.

"We will not leave anyone abandoned in the destruction of the fire."

Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said that four charred bodies were found outside the village of Odos in the Larnaca district. &nbsp;

"Forensic examiners are going to the scene for identification," he told reporters on Sunday.&nbsp;

"All the indications support the fact that these are the four missing persons we have been searching for since yesterday," he said, adding that all four of the dead are thought to be of Egyptian nationality.

The daily Phileleftheros newspaper said the four bodies were found about 400 metres (yards) from their burnt-out vehicle.

Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said on Saturday its "aerial firefighting capacity" had been mobilised, with Italy and Greece sending planes to help.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said "two firefighting planes" would be sent. They were expected to arrive on Sunday.

Local media reported that a 67-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion he started the blaze.

A huge forest blaze in Cyprus has killed four people, destroyed homes and forced evacuations of villages as Greece, Israel and other countries deployed fire-fighting aircraft to the Mediterranean island.

A huge forest blaze in Cyprus has killed four people, destroyed homes and forced evacuations of villages as Greece, Israel and other countries deployed fire-fighting aircraft to the Mediterranean island. The fire began Saturday afternoon and has swept through districts in the southern foothills of the Troodos mountains as the country grapples with a blistering heatwave. "It is a tragedy," President Nicos Anastasiades said on Twitter, describing it as "the largest fire since 1974" when the island was divided after Turkey occupied its northern third. The blaze had caused "loss of life" and destroyed property and forest lands, Anastasiades said, adding that "the government will provide immediate assistance to the victims and the families of the victims. "We will not leave anyone abandoned in the destruction of the fire." Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said that four charred bodies were found outside the village of Odos in the Larnaca district. "Forensic examiners are going to the scene for identification," he told reporters on Sunday. "All the indications support the fact that these are the four missing persons we have been searching for since yesterday," he said, adding that all four of the dead are thought to be of Egyptian nationality. The daily Phileleftheros newspaper said the four bodies were found about 400 metres (yards) from their burnt-out vehicle. Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said on Saturday its "aerial firefighting capacity" had been mobilised, with Italy and Greece sending planes to help. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said "two firefighting planes" would be sent. They were expected to arrive on Sunday. Local media reported that a 67-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion he started the blaze.

Four dead in Cyprus' worst forest fire in decades

Pics | Cyprus faces worst forest fires in decades

Cyprus elects a new parliament on Sunday in a process likely to show a decline in support for major parties and a sizeable abstention rate among voters angered by corruption scandals.&nbsp;

More than 10 political parties or formations, fielding a record 659 candidates, are seeking seats in a vote, which will not likely produce an absolute majority given this has not been the outcome for several decades.&nbsp;

Cyprus - divided among its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations but whose government controls the Greek Cypriot side - has an executive system of government and the poll is a test run for allegiances, which may be formed ahead of presidential elections scheduled in 2023.&nbsp;

Incumbent president Nicos Anastasiades of the right-wing Democratic Rally party is into his second five-year term.&nbsp;

Opinion polls suggest smaller parties are likely to benefit from repeated scandals in recent years, eroding the dominance of Anastasiades's party and the Communist AKEL, the other traditional mainstay of Cypriot politics.&nbsp;

"A big part of voters are fully disappointed with mainstream parties," said political analyst Christophoros Christophorou.&nbsp;

The present administration has been under fire for championing a lucrative cash-for-passports scheme it had to abandon amid allegations of corruption in November 2020.&nbsp;

More recently, a presidential commissioner was last week placed under investigation for discrepancies in his high school and university diplomas. His high-paying state job overseeing volunteer work was created at the height of the 2013 financial crisis which saw thousands lose their bank savings and triggered an EU bailout.&nbsp;

Surveys have shown the fringe far-right ELAM party almost doubling its support from 2016, when it first elected two MPs to parliament. Similarly, the Greens party fielding a diverse group of mainly young candidates, is also set to make inroads.&nbsp;

But abstention may be a key feature of Sunday's election. In 2016, it hit a high of 33.3 per cent.&nbsp;

"The issue of corruption ... benefits the small parties but it is also an issue which feeds the abstention rate," Christophorou said.&nbsp;

Just over 558,000 people have the right to vote for 56 deputies in Cyprus's House of Representatives in elections held every five years. Polling stations open at 0400 GMT and voting ends at 1500 GMT.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Cyprus elects a new parliament on Sunday in a process likely to show a decline in support for major parties and a sizeable abstention rate among voters angered by corruption scandals.

Cyprus elects a new parliament on Sunday in a process likely to show a decline in support for major parties and a sizeable abstention rate among voters angered by corruption scandals. More than 10 political parties or formations, fielding a record 659 candidates, are seeking seats in a vote, which will not likely produce an absolute majority given this has not been the outcome for several decades. Cyprus - divided among its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations but whose government controls the Greek Cypriot side - has an executive system of government and the poll is a test run for allegiances, which may be formed ahead of presidential elections scheduled in 2023. Incumbent president Nicos Anastasiades of the right-wing Democratic Rally party is into his second five-year term. Opinion polls suggest smaller parties are likely to benefit from repeated scandals in recent years, eroding the dominance of Anastasiades's party and the Communist AKEL, the other traditional mainstay of Cypriot politics. "A big part of voters are fully disappointed with mainstream parties," said political analyst Christophoros Christophorou. The present administration has been under fire for championing a lucrative cash-for-passports scheme it had to abandon amid allegations of corruption in November 2020. More recently, a presidential commissioner was last week placed under investigation for discrepancies in his high school and university diplomas. His high-paying state job overseeing volunteer work was created at the height of the 2013 financial crisis which saw thousands lose their bank savings and triggered an EU bailout. Surveys have shown the fringe far-right ELAM party almost doubling its support from 2016, when it first elected two MPs to parliament. Similarly, the Greens party fielding a diverse group of mainly young candidates, is also set to make inroads. But abstention may be a key feature of Sunday's election. In 2016, it hit a high of 33.3 per cent. "The issue of corruption ... benefits the small parties but it is also an issue which feeds the abstention rate," Christophorou said. Just over 558,000 people have the right to vote for 56 deputies in Cyprus's House of Representatives in elections held every five years. Polling stations open at 0400 GMT and voting ends at 1500 GMT. (With inputs from agencies)

Stung by graft and corruption, Cyprus voters elect new parliament 

Cyprus will open its doors from May 1 to British tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid.

The Mediterranean island's vital tourism industry had otherwise been devastated due to the coronavirus pandemic -- with arrivals slumping to 631,609 in 2020 from nearly four million in 2019.

Britain is the island's largest market for tourists, making up a third of its arrivals in 2019,

"We informed the British government that as of May 1,&nbsp;we would facilitate the arrival of British citizens immunised with EU-licenced vaccines to enter Cyprus with no negative Covid-19 test and no quarantine," Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios said, quoted by the state-funded Cyprus News Agency.

He added the policy was subject to the British government's Covid-19 restrictions, which currently ban international travel.

The announcement comes after Cyprus and Israel agreed a deal last month allowing vaccinated citizens of the two countries to travel each way without limitations, once passenger flights resume.

"This is a very important development for tourism and follows the arrangement with Israel, as they are two of Cyprus' main tourist markets," said Perdios.

Under the Cypriot government's plan, UK citizens who have received the second dose of a Covid vaccine at least seven days before travelling would be allowed entry, but could still be subject to random testing at airports.

Britons would also still have to comply with health protocols such as mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing.

The Republic of Cyprus has so far recorded 232 coronavirus deaths and 36,004 infections.

Cyprus will open its doors from May 1 to British tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid. The Mediterranean island's vital tourism industry had otherwise been devastated due to the coronavirus pandemic -- with arrivals slumping to 631,609 in 2020 from nearly four million in 2019.

Cyprus will open its doors from May 1 to British tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid. The Mediterranean island's vital tourism industry had otherwise been devastated due to the coronavirus pandemic -- with arrivals slumping to 631,609 in 2020 from nearly four million in 2019. Britain is the island's largest market for tourists, making up a third of its arrivals in 2019, "We informed the British government that as of May 1, we would facilitate the arrival of British citizens immunised with EU-licenced vaccines to enter Cyprus with no negative Covid-19 test and no quarantine," Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios said, quoted by the state-funded Cyprus News Agency. He added the policy was subject to the British government's Covid-19 restrictions, which currently ban international travel. The announcement comes after Cyprus and Israel agreed a deal last month allowing vaccinated citizens of the two countries to travel each way without limitations, once passenger flights resume. "This is a very important development for tourism and follows the arrangement with Israel, as they are two of Cyprus' main tourist markets," said Perdios. Under the Cypriot government's plan, UK citizens who have received the second dose of a Covid vaccine at least seven days before travelling would be allowed entry, but could still be subject to random testing at airports. Britons would also still have to comply with health protocols such as mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing. The Republic of Cyprus has so far recorded 232 coronavirus deaths and 36,004 infections.

Cyprus opens doors to vaccinated British tourists

Cyprus' Animal Party urged the Cypriot government on Sunday to intervene and rescue hundreds of sick cattle on a ship anchored off the island's northern coast.

The party said the shipment of animals loaded in Spain in December had ended up off the Turkish-held north of the island because no country would receive them.

It called on the Republic of Cyprus government to use "all appropriate means" to rescue the sick animals that have been in limbo for two months without a destination.

Nicosia was called upon to seek support from EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou on the matter.

Thousands of cattle remain stranded at sea on two livestock ships that left Spain&nbsp;in mid-December, the UK's Guardian newspaper reported.

The two vessels were bound for Libya, but due to an onboard outbreak of the bovine disease bluetongue, they were refused entry at multiple ports.

One of those ships, the Elbeik, anchored off Cyprus's northern coast at Famagusta, is said to have around 1,700 cattle on board.

Cypriot daily Phileleftheros said the authorities are aware of the situation and monitoring the ship if it sails into the Republic of Cyprus' territorial waters.

It said animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming has asked for the Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture to send vets aboard the ship and examine the animals when possible.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup on the island that was backed by the Greek military.

The Animal Party said it had joined a campaign with other European animal welfare organisations against live animal transports.

It said due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of borders, hundreds of thousands of animals were "trapped" for longer than necessary in unsuitable transport conditions.

Cyprus' Animal Party urged the Cypriot government on Sunday to intervene and rescue hundreds of sick cattle on a ship anchored off the island's northern coast. The party said the shipment of animals loaded in Spain in December had ended up off the Turkish-held north of the island because no country would receive them.

Cyprus' Animal Party urged the Cypriot government on Sunday to intervene and rescue hundreds of sick cattle on a ship anchored off the island's northern coast. The party said the shipment of animals loaded in Spain in December had ended up off the Turkish-held north of the island because no country would receive them. It called on the Republic of Cyprus government to use "all appropriate means" to rescue the sick animals that have been in limbo for two months without a destination. Nicosia was called upon to seek support from EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou on the matter. Thousands of cattle remain stranded at sea on two livestock ships that left Spain in mid-December, the UK's Guardian newspaper reported. The two vessels were bound for Libya, but due to an onboard outbreak of the bovine disease bluetongue, they were refused entry at multiple ports. One of those ships, the Elbeik, anchored off Cyprus's northern coast at Famagusta, is said to have around 1,700 cattle on board. Cypriot daily Phileleftheros said the authorities are aware of the situation and monitoring the ship if it sails into the Republic of Cyprus' territorial waters. It said animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming has asked for the Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture to send vets aboard the ship and examine the animals when possible. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup on the island that was backed by the Greek military. The Animal Party said it had joined a campaign with other European animal welfare organisations against live animal transports. It said due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of borders, hundreds of thousands of animals were "trapped" for longer than necessary in unsuitable transport conditions.

Cyprus urged to help save cattle stranded on ship

Thousands of Cypriots protesting against coronavirus restrictions and corruption held a peaceful march on Saturday in defiance of a ban on gatherings.

The event, held following a violent crackdown by police of a previous protest which triggered widespread criticism last week, saw marchers holding flowers and banners parade through a central thoroughfare in the capital Nicosia to the island`s parliament.

Protesters wearing face masks were observed at a distance by police.

Cyprus, which has fared better than most countries in handling the pandemic, has been in and out of lockdown for about a year. However, disclosures of perceived corruption from a passport-for-investment scheme has fuelled public discontent.

"I feel like my future is just hanging by a thread. There are no jobs, but those governing and their buddies are getting rich," said one protester identified only as Ioanna, 24.

A smaller protest held on Feb. 13 was met with a heavy-handed response by police, who clashed with demonstrators and deployed water cannon. The incident triggered a police inquiry and admissions by the island`s justice minister that some scenes showed a disproportionate reaction.

On Saturday, the water cannon was kept at a distance, parked about two kilometres away within the medieval walls of the capital Nicosia.

The passport scheme was abruptly pulled by authorities last year after the Al Jazeera news network showed individuals allegedly willing to facilitate citizenship for a fictitious investor with a criminal record, and which they subsequently denied. The scheme is also being probed by an independent board of inquiry.

"Down with the Junta of the Partitionist," read one banner, with the word `partitionist` a play on the name of President Nicos Anastasiades, referring to the ethnic division of the island populated by Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Thousands of Cypriots protesting against coronavirus restrictions and corruption held a peaceful march on Saturday in defiance of a ban on gatherings. The event, held following a violent crackdown by police of a previous protest which triggered widespread criticism last week, saw marchers holding flowers and banners parade through a central thoroughfare in the capital Nicosia to the island`s parliament.

Thousands of Cypriots protesting against coronavirus restrictions and corruption held a peaceful march on Saturday in defiance of a ban on gatherings. The event, held following a violent crackdown by police of a previous protest which triggered widespread criticism last week, saw marchers holding flowers and banners parade through a central thoroughfare in the capital Nicosia to the island`s parliament. Protesters wearing face masks were observed at a distance by police. Cyprus, which has fared better than most countries in handling the pandemic, has been in and out of lockdown for about a year. However, disclosures of perceived corruption from a passport-for-investment scheme has fuelled public discontent. "I feel like my future is just hanging by a thread. There are no jobs, but those governing and their buddies are getting rich," said one protester identified only as Ioanna, 24. A smaller protest held on Feb. 13 was met with a heavy-handed response by police, who clashed with demonstrators and deployed water cannon. The incident triggered a police inquiry and admissions by the island`s justice minister that some scenes showed a disproportionate reaction. On Saturday, the water cannon was kept at a distance, parked about two kilometres away within the medieval walls of the capital Nicosia. The passport scheme was abruptly pulled by authorities last year after the Al Jazeera news network showed individuals allegedly willing to facilitate citizenship for a fictitious investor with a criminal record, and which they subsequently denied. The scheme is also being probed by an independent board of inquiry. "Down with the Junta of the Partitionist," read one banner, with the word `partitionist` a play on the name of President Nicos Anastasiades, referring to the ethnic division of the island populated by Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Cypriots defy ban to protest again over corruption, coronavirus curbs

Cyprus hit out at Turkey on Friday for acts it said were behind the creation of a new migration route that had "disproportionally burdened" it with the EU's highest percentage of asylum-seekers.

The Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union since 2004, has seen a surge in asylum-seekers in recent weeks and months.

Many enter by illegally crossing the UN-patrolled buffer zone that divides the island between the Greek-majority south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north.

Cyprus said it has had the highest proportion of asylum applications in the EU for four consecutive years, at four percent of its population compared with the bloc's average of close to one percent.

"The overwhelming majority of migration flows originated from Turkey, a country that fails to implement all agreements regarding migration towards Cyprus," its foreign and interior ministries said in a joint statement.

"In fact, Turkey's stance has led to the creation, rather than prevention, of a new migration route in the eastern Mediterranean, which disproportionally burdens Cyprus, and places enormous strain on the national asylum system."

Nicosia would raise "the extent of the migration crisis faced by Cyprus" in Brussels to ensure it "receives the assistance required to effectively address it", the statement said.

It said there was an "urgent need" for the European Commission and international organisations to assist Cyprus to stop illegal migrant flows and ensure legal returns.

At a meeting on Thursday, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and Interior Minister Nikos Nouris had highlighted "the gravity and scale" and "disproportional weight Cyprus shoulders from migration flows", it added.

They agreed to ensure migration features prominently on their agendas ahead of a March 15 teleconference of EU foreign and home affairs ministers, as well as "upcoming discussions on Turkey at EU level".

Cyprus has the highest number of first-time asylum applications in the EU relative to its population, according to the bloc's latest statistics.

The republic registered 1,640 first-time asylum applications in the third quarter of 2020, a figure representing 1,848 per million of its population, Eurostat said.

In December, Nouris said that in 2019, Cyprus received approximately 17,000 asylum applications, an increase of more than 500 percent compared with 2015.

Cyprus hit out at Turkey on Friday for acts it said were behind the creation of a new migration route that had "disproportionally burdened" it with the EU's highest percentage of asylum-seekers.

Cyprus hit out at Turkey on Friday for acts it said were behind the creation of a new migration route that had "disproportionally burdened" it with the EU's highest percentage of asylum-seekers. The Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union since 2004, has seen a surge in asylum-seekers in recent weeks and months. Many enter by illegally crossing the UN-patrolled buffer zone that divides the island between the Greek-majority south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north. Cyprus said it has had the highest proportion of asylum applications in the EU for four consecutive years, at four percent of its population compared with the bloc's average of close to one percent. "The overwhelming majority of migration flows originated from Turkey, a country that fails to implement all agreements regarding migration towards Cyprus," its foreign and interior ministries said in a joint statement. "In fact, Turkey's stance has led to the creation, rather than prevention, of a new migration route in the eastern Mediterranean, which disproportionally burdens Cyprus, and places enormous strain on the national asylum system." Nicosia would raise "the extent of the migration crisis faced by Cyprus" in Brussels to ensure it "receives the assistance required to effectively address it", the statement said. It said there was an "urgent need" for the European Commission and international organisations to assist Cyprus to stop illegal migrant flows and ensure legal returns. At a meeting on Thursday, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and Interior Minister Nikos Nouris had highlighted "the gravity and scale" and "disproportional weight Cyprus shoulders from migration flows", it added. They agreed to ensure migration features prominently on their agendas ahead of a March 15 teleconference of EU foreign and home affairs ministers, as well as "upcoming discussions on Turkey at EU level". Cyprus has the highest number of first-time asylum applications in the EU relative to its population, according to the bloc's latest statistics. The republic registered 1,640 first-time asylum applications in the third quarter of 2020, a figure representing 1,848 per million of its population, Eurostat said. In December, Nouris said that in 2019, Cyprus received approximately 17,000 asylum applications, an increase of more than 500 percent compared with 2015.

Cyprus slams Turkey over asylum-seeker 'burden'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Cyprus was made of "two separate states". His comments came during his visit to the breakaway Turkish held northern part of Cyprus island. The visit has already been decried as "provocation" by Cyprus. Erdogan's comments have further diminished hopes of reunification of the island into a single country.

"There are two peoples and two separate states in Cyprus," said Erdogan. "There must be talks for a solution on the basis of two separate states."

During his visit, Turkish jets left vapour trails in the sky in the shape of the star and crescent of the Turkish flag -- mirroring a huge flag painted decades ago on a rocky mountainside in the north.

Erdogan's visit to the Turkish-held statelet recognised only by Ankara comes amid heightened tensions on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean and was condemned as a "provocation without precedent" by the Republic of Cyprus.&nbsp;

His trip marked the 37th anniversary of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) where an estimated 30,000 Turkish troops are stationed. TRNC has recognition only from Turkey.

The Turkish president was later to attend a "picnic" in the disputed beachfront area of Varosha along the UN buffer zone that has divided the island since Turkey's invasion.

(With AFP inputs) 
&nbsp;

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Cyprus was made of "two separate states". His comments came during his visit to the breakaway Turkish held northern part of Cyprus island.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Cyprus was made of "two separate states". His comments came during his visit to the breakaway Turkish held northern part of Cyprus island. The visit has already been decried as "provocation" by Cyprus. Erdogan's comments have further diminished hopes of reunification of the island into a single country. "There are two peoples and two separate states in Cyprus," said Erdogan. "There must be talks for a solution on the basis of two separate states." During his visit, Turkish jets left vapour trails in the sky in the shape of the star and crescent of the Turkish flag -- mirroring a huge flag painted decades ago on a rocky mountainside in the north. Erdogan's visit to the Turkish-held statelet recognised only by Ankara comes amid heightened tensions on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean and was condemned as a "provocation without precedent" by the Republic of Cyprus. His trip marked the 37th anniversary of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) where an estimated 30,000 Turkish troops are stationed. TRNC has recognition only from Turkey. The Turkish president was later to attend a "picnic" in the disputed beachfront area of Varosha along the UN buffer zone that has divided the island since Turkey's invasion. (With AFP inputs)

Cyprus made up of 'two separate states', says Erdogan

Ankara-backed, right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar&nbsp;scored a surprise victory in a run-off presidential election Sunday in breakaway northern Cyprus.

Tatar won 51.73 per cent, ahead of incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who had been tipped to win a second term. He notably has been&nbsp;advocating&nbsp;a two-state solution on the divided island.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the surprise victory of his favoured candidate.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı seçilen Sayın Ersin Tatar'ı şahsım ve Türk Milleti adına tebrik ediyorum. 
 
Türkiye, Kıbrıs Türk halkının hak ve hukukunun korunması için gereken her türlü çabayı göstermeyi sürdürecektir.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) <a href="https://twitter.com/RTErdogan/status/1317876322019008513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Tatar was already premier of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognised only by Turkey, in an uneasy partnership with Akinci, who had backed the island's reunification in UN-brokered negotiations with the Greek Cypriots.

It was a role obtained after the collapse of a coalition government in May 2019 and one where he had the support of Turkey, the only country who recognises the TRNC.

Tatar courted controversy just days before the first round of the presidential election on October 11 when he visited Ankara and made an appearance alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

His first entry into politics came in 2003 when he joined the National Unity Party (UBP), which he has led since 2018. But he won political office in April 2009 when he was elected MP for Nicosia for the UBP, and served as finance minister between 2009 and 2013.

Amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean which are exacerbated by the island's division, Tatar has defended Turkey's gas exploration as an attempt to ensure Turkey and Turkish Cypriots' rights are protected.

After the collapse of peace talks in Switzerland in July 2017, Tatar said negotiations "cannot continue from where they were left off".

(with inputs from AFP)

Ankara-backed, right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar scored a surprise victory in a run-off presidential election Sunday in breakaway northern Cyprus. Tatar won 51.

Ankara-backed, right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar scored a surprise victory in a run-off presidential election Sunday in breakaway northern Cyprus. Tatar won 51.73 per cent, ahead of incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who had been tipped to win a second term. He notably has been advocating a two-state solution on the divided island. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the surprise victory of his favoured candidate. Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı seçilen Sayın Ersin Tatar'ı şahsım ve Türk Milleti adına tebrik ediyorum. Türkiye, Kıbrıs Türk halkının hak ve hukukunun korunması için gereken her türlü çabayı göstermeyi sürdürecektir. — Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 18, 2020 × Tatar was already premier of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognised only by Turkey, in an uneasy partnership with Akinci, who had backed the island's reunification in UN-brokered negotiations with the Greek Cypriots. It was a role obtained after the collapse of a coalition government in May 2019 and one where he had the support of Turkey, the only country who recognises the TRNC. Tatar courted controversy just days before the first round of the presidential election on October 11 when he visited Ankara and made an appearance alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His first entry into politics came in 2003 when he joined the National Unity Party (UBP), which he has led since 2018. But he won political office in April 2009 when he was elected MP for Nicosia for the UBP, and served as finance minister between 2009 and 2013. Amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean which are exacerbated by the island's division, Tatar has defended Turkey's gas exploration as an attempt to ensure Turkey and Turkish Cypriots' rights are protected. After the collapse of peace talks in Switzerland in July 2017, Tatar said negotiations "cannot continue from where they were left off". (with inputs from AFP)

Ankara-backed nationalist Ersin Tatar ousts president in Turkish Cypriot poll

Greece and Cyprus pushed for a tougher European Union response to Turkey`s natural gas exploration in contested Mediterranean waters at an EU summit on Friday but were essentially told to hold off until another leaders` meeting in December.

Two weeks after their last summit where leaders discussed economic sanctions, the EU has so far failed to persuade Ankara to stop exploring in waters disputed by Greece and Cyprus.

Turkey said on Wednesday it was restarting operations of a survey ship that it withdrew last month.

"We plan a summit in December. And we have planned, indeed, to tackle again and to assess the situation in the eastern Mediterranean and in Turkey," European Council President Charles Michel told a news conference after the summit.

France and Germany said earlier this week that Turkey had only "weeks" to revise its stance and stop what they also said were provocations, but declined to give a strong ultimatum as Athens and Nicosia would like.

French President Emmanuel Macron said after the summit that leaders had reaffirmed support for Greece and Turkey, but were also open to talks with Ankara.

EU leaders had agreed on Oct. 2 to give Turkey until early December before considering economic sanctions and Germany, which has so far led diplomatic talks with Ankara, wants to give dialogue a chance because of close EU-Turkey trade ties.

Cyprus is frustrated that, in addition to the Turkish exploration ship off a Greek island, Turkey has sent another vessel to Cyprus`s economic zone to conduct seismic surveys.

EU member Cyprus is also furious that Turkish Cypriot authorities have partially reopened the beach town of Varosha, a former resort area fenced off and abandoned in no-man`s land since a 1974 Turkish invasion that split the island.

"Turkey remains consistent in its provocative and aggressive behaviour," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday in Brussels.

Greece and Cyprus pushed for a tougher European Union response to Turkey`s natural gas exploration in contested Mediterranean waters at an EU summit on Friday but were essentially told to hold off until another leaders` meeting in December.

Greece and Cyprus pushed for a tougher European Union response to Turkey`s natural gas exploration in contested Mediterranean waters at an EU summit on Friday but were essentially told to hold off until another leaders` meeting in December. Two weeks after their last summit where leaders discussed economic sanctions, the EU has so far failed to persuade Ankara to stop exploring in waters disputed by Greece and Cyprus. Turkey said on Wednesday it was restarting operations of a survey ship that it withdrew last month. "We plan a summit in December. And we have planned, indeed, to tackle again and to assess the situation in the eastern Mediterranean and in Turkey," European Council President Charles Michel told a news conference after the summit. France and Germany said earlier this week that Turkey had only "weeks" to revise its stance and stop what they also said were provocations, but declined to give a strong ultimatum as Athens and Nicosia would like. French President Emmanuel Macron said after the summit that leaders had reaffirmed support for Greece and Turkey, but were also open to talks with Ankara. EU leaders had agreed on Oct. 2 to give Turkey until early December before considering economic sanctions and Germany, which has so far led diplomatic talks with Ankara, wants to give dialogue a chance because of close EU-Turkey trade ties. Cyprus is frustrated that, in addition to the Turkish exploration ship off a Greek island, Turkey has sent another vessel to Cyprus`s economic zone to conduct seismic surveys. EU member Cyprus is also furious that Turkish Cypriot authorities have partially reopened the beach town of Varosha, a former resort area fenced off and abandoned in no-man`s land since a 1974 Turkish invasion that split the island. "Turkey remains consistent in its provocative and aggressive behaviour," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday in Brussels.

Greece, Cyprus told to wait for EU action on 'provocative' Turkey

Cyprus on Tuesday scrapped a lucrative program granting citizenship to wealthy investors amid new allegations that a top state official and a veteran lawmaker were implicated in attempts to bypass strict vetting rules and issue a passport to a fictitious investor with a supposed criminal record. 
Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said the Cabinet accepted a recommendation by the minsters of the interior and finance to cancel altogether the “golden passport” program that has netted billions of euros over several years.

Koushos said the decision, which goes into effect Nov. 1, was based on the Cyprus Investment Program''s “long-standing weaknesses, but also the abuse” of its provisions.

He said the government would in due course look at different ways of attracting foreign investment.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-cyprus-to-reopen-disputed-ghost-town-with-turkish-backing-333109">Also read:&nbsp;North Cyprus to reopen disputed 'ghost town' with Turkish backing</a>

The allegations surfaced in an hour-long undercover report by Al Jazeera''s investigative unit that used hidden cameras to show Parliamentary Speaker Demetris Syllouris and lawmaker Christakis Giovanis pledging “full support” to granting a passport to a fictitious Chinese investor, despite a money laundering conviction against him.

The report also showed lawyer Andreas Pittadjis, real estate agents and others outlining to a man posing as a representative for the Chinese investor different ways to skirt background checks, including a name change or granting citizenship through his wife.

Both Pittadjis and Giovanis strongly denied the allegations, saying they were fully aware that the approach was bogus and that they only played along to extract more information from the “representative” in order to file a report with Cypriot law enforcement authorities.

Giovanis on Tuesday resigned his seat in the Cypriot parliament and quit his duties as a member of the communist-rooted AKEL party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyprus-to-bear-expenses-of-tourists-who-test-positive-for-covid-19-upon-visit-302026">Also read:&nbsp;Cyprus to bear expenses of tourists who test positive for COVID-19 upon visit</a>

Cypriot Attorney-General George Savvides said that he instructed police to initiate an “in-depth police investigation" to determine if any criminal acts had been committed.

European Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said the bloc''s executive body is looking into launching infringement proceedings against Cyprus.

“We watched in disbelief how high-level officials were trading European citizenship for financial gains,” Wigand told reporters in Brussels. European Commission “President (Ursula) von der Leyen was clear when saying European values are not for sale.” Wigand said the Commission had frequently raised concerns about such investor citizenship schemes and also directly with Cypriot authorities.

Outraged Cypriots took to social media to heap scorn on the officials, with many calling for Syllouris'' resignation.

In a statement on Tuesday, Syllouris said that he would step back from his duties as of next week until an investigation is completed. He apologized for the “unfortunate picture” and upheaval that the “staged and fragmented” report gave and which allowed his reputation and that of the institution of House Speaker to be sullied.

Cypriot officials had earlier accused Al Jazeera of an orchestrated smear campaign against the ethnically split island nation.

The program has attracted many foreigner investors because a Cyprus passport automatically grants its holder citizenship access to the entire 27-member European Union. Around 4,000 Cypriot passports have been issued to investors under the program, generating more than 7 billion euros ($8.25 billion).

The Cyprus government has conceded that “mistakes” were made and has beefed up eligibility criteria in recent years. The most recent changes that lawmakers approved in August include new anti-money-laundering vetting rules and making it easier to revoke the citizenship of investors involved in or convicted of a serious crime.

Despite the stricter rules, the program continued to be hounded by allegations of corruption, kickbacks and favoritism.

Cyprus'' Audit Office last month urged lawmakers to rethink legislation that empowered the government to grant citizenship to investors'' family members.

Cyprus Security and Exchange Commission recommended last month that authorities revoke citizenship from seven individuals who submitted forged documents in their application.

An independent committee has been set up to probe thousands of applications that were made since 2007. The investment program had gathered pace after 2013, when a financial crisis nearly brought Cyprus to bankruptcy.

Cyprus on Tuesday scrapped a lucrative program granting citizenship to wealthy investors amid new allegations that a top state official and a veteran lawmaker were implicated in attempts to bypass strict vetting rules and issue a passport to a fictitious investor with a supposed criminal record.

Cyprus on Tuesday scrapped a lucrative program granting citizenship to wealthy investors amid new allegations that a top state official and a veteran lawmaker were implicated in attempts to bypass strict vetting rules and issue a passport to a fictitious investor with a supposed criminal record. Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said the Cabinet accepted a recommendation by the minsters of the interior and finance to cancel altogether the “golden passport” program that has netted billions of euros over several years. Koushos said the decision, which goes into effect Nov. 1, was based on the Cyprus Investment Program''s “long-standing weaknesses, but also the abuse” of its provisions. He said the government would in due course look at different ways of attracting foreign investment. Also read: North Cyprus to reopen disputed 'ghost town' with Turkish backing The allegations surfaced in an hour-long undercover report by Al Jazeera''s investigative unit that used hidden cameras to show Parliamentary Speaker Demetris Syllouris and lawmaker Christakis Giovanis pledging “full support” to granting a passport to a fictitious Chinese investor, despite a money laundering conviction against him. The report also showed lawyer Andreas Pittadjis, real estate agents and others outlining to a man posing as a representative for the Chinese investor different ways to skirt background checks, including a name change or granting citizenship through his wife. Both Pittadjis and Giovanis strongly denied the allegations, saying they were fully aware that the approach was bogus and that they only played along to extract more information from the “representative” in order to file a report with Cypriot law enforcement authorities. Giovanis on Tuesday resigned his seat in the Cypriot parliament and quit his duties as a member of the communist-rooted AKEL party. Also read: Cyprus to bear expenses of tourists who test positive for COVID-19 upon visit Cypriot Attorney-General George Savvides said that he instructed police to initiate an “in-depth police investigation" to determine if any criminal acts had been committed. European Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said the bloc''s executive body is looking into launching infringement proceedings against Cyprus. “We watched in disbelief how high-level officials were trading European citizenship for financial gains,” Wigand told reporters in Brussels. European Commission “President (Ursula) von der Leyen was clear when saying European values are not for sale.” Wigand said the Commission had frequently raised concerns about such investor citizenship schemes and also directly with Cypriot authorities. Outraged Cypriots took to social media to heap scorn on the officials, with many calling for Syllouris'' resignation. In a statement on Tuesday, Syllouris said that he would step back from his duties as of next week until an investigation is completed. He apologized for the “unfortunate picture” and upheaval that the “staged and fragmented” report gave and which allowed his reputation and that of the institution of House Speaker to be sullied. Cypriot officials had earlier accused Al Jazeera of an orchestrated smear campaign against the ethnically split island nation. The program has attracted many foreigner investors because a Cyprus passport automatically grants its holder citizenship access to the entire 27-member European Union. Around 4,000 Cypriot passports have been issued to investors under the program, generating more than 7 billion euros ($8.25 billion). The Cyprus government has conceded that “mistakes” were made and has beefed up eligibility criteria in recent years. The most recent changes that lawmakers approved in August include new anti-money-laundering vetting rules and making it easier to revoke the citizenship of investors involved in or convicted of a serious crime. Despite the stricter rules, the program continued to be hounded by allegations of corruption, kickbacks and favoritism. Cyprus'' Audit Office last month urged lawmakers to rethink legislation that empowered the government to grant citizenship to investors'' family members. Cyprus Security and Exchange Commission recommended last month that authorities revoke citizenship from seven individuals who submitted forged documents in their application. An independent committee has been set up to probe thousands of applications that were made since 2007. The investment program had gathered pace after 2013, when a financial crisis nearly brought Cyprus to bankruptcy.

Cyprus cancels maligned 'golden passport' scheme

Greek Cypriots held a demonstration on Thursday (October 8) over a decision by Northern Cyprus to re-open part of a beach in a controversial area abandoned since the Turkish invasion of the island.

Cyprus: Hundreds protest against opening of beachfront in Varosha

UNHRC reports spike in Lebanese migrants, watch video

Video: Cyprus sends back Lebanese migrants

Dozens of Lebanese and Syrians have tried to make the illicit sea crossing to Cyprus in recent weeks, fleeing Lebanon’s worst economic crisis in decades. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: Lebanese people flee to Cyprus, Lebanon economic crisis

Turkey announced it would conduct a live fire naval exercise off the coast on Cyprus between Saturday and Monday despite the looming threat of EU sanctions.

Turkey is at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the eastern Mediterranean, sparking fears of more severe conflict.

In a message on NAVTEX, the international maritime navigational telex system, Turkey said on Friday there would be a gunnery exercise off the coast of Sadrazamkoy in northern Cyprus.

The announcement comes after southern European leaders warned on Thursday they were ready to back EU sanctions against Turkey if Ankara shunned dialogue.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mediterranean-crisis-greece-turkey-agree-de-escalation-talks-says-nato-325103">Also read|&nbsp;Mediterranean crisis: Greece, Turkey agree de-escalation talks says NATO</a>

The issue will be discussed again at a EU summit on 24-25 September.

Tensions escalated after Turkey sent the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel and a small navy flotilla to waters claimed by Greece on August 10.

Greece then responded by shadowing the Turkish ships and staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates in its own show of force.

The Oruc Reis is supposed to remain in the disputed waters until Saturday.

Turkey announced it would conduct a live fire naval exercise off the coast on Cyprus between Saturday and Monday despite the looming threat of EU sanctions. Turkey is at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the eastern Mediterranean, sparking fears of more severe conflict.

Turkey announced it would conduct a live fire naval exercise off the coast on Cyprus between Saturday and Monday despite the looming threat of EU sanctions. Turkey is at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the eastern Mediterranean, sparking fears of more severe conflict. In a message on NAVTEX, the international maritime navigational telex system, Turkey said on Friday there would be a gunnery exercise off the coast of Sadrazamkoy in northern Cyprus. The announcement comes after southern European leaders warned on Thursday they were ready to back EU sanctions against Turkey if Ankara shunned dialogue. Also read| Mediterranean crisis: Greece, Turkey agree de-escalation talks says NATO The issue will be discussed again at a EU summit on 24-25 September. Tensions escalated after Turkey sent the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel and a small navy flotilla to waters claimed by Greece on August 10. Greece then responded by shadowing the Turkish ships and staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates in its own show of force. The Oruc Reis is supposed to remain in the disputed waters until Saturday.

Turkey to conduct naval exercises off Cyprus coast

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan ratcheted up his rhetoric on Monday (September 7), amid growing tensions between the neighbours over energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey begins military exercises near northern Cyprus

Turkey said it will hold a military exercise off northwest Cyprus for the next two weeks

Turkey Begins Military Drill Near Cyprus

Two white lions have been born in the Paphos Zoo in Cyprus. The one and a half week old lion cubs - one boy and one girl - were born to Zeus and Hera, two eight year old white lions that were brought to Cyprus from a zoo in South Africa.

Two white lions born in Cyprus zoo amidst 'peace and quiet'

Cyprus' health ministry has announced the first novel coronavirus death on the Mediterranean island and said there were 83 cases of infection.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-ramps-up-restrictions-as-virus-cases-top-300000-287888" hreflang="en">World ramps up restrictions as virus cases top 300,000</a>

The number of COVID-19 cases in the island's breakaway Turkish Cypriot north has meanwhile risen to 35, including 31 German tourists, with no deaths, officials there said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-coronavirus-deaths-jump-by-almost-800-government-shuts-most-workplaces-287839" hreflang="en">Italy coronavirus deaths jump by almost 800, government shuts most workplaces</a>

The eastern Mediterranean island is divided between the internationally-recognised Republic of&nbsp;Cyprus&nbsp;and the northern third under Turkish control.&nbsp;

The individual who died in the south was a 70-year-old British man who had contracted the virus from another Briton while being treated at Paphos general hospital's ICU, said news site Phileleftheros.&nbsp;

"During his hospitalisation at Paphos General Hospital, the patient was found positive as a result of tracking COVID-19 contacts at the same clinic," the health ministry said in a statement late Saturday.

It said&nbsp;the patient had already suffered a number of underlying health impairments and his condition worsened after contracting the virus at the hospital.

The man died at Famagusta Hospital while Paphos General Hospital remains shut after around 20 medical staff contracted the virus from a patient.

With nine new cases on Saturday, the Republic of&nbsp;Cyprus&nbsp;has now reported one death plus 83&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;cases, the ministry said.

Cyprus' health ministry has announced the first novel coronavirus death on the Mediterranean island and said there were 83 cases of infection. Also read: World ramps up restrictions as virus cases top 300,000 The number of COVID-19 cases in the island's breakaway Turkish Cypriot north has meanwhile risen to 35, including 31 German tourists, with no deaths, officials there said.

Cyprus' health ministry has announced the first novel coronavirus death on the Mediterranean island and said there were 83 cases of infection. Also read: World ramps up restrictions as virus cases top 300,000 The number of COVID-19 cases in the island's breakaway Turkish Cypriot north has meanwhile risen to 35, including 31 German tourists, with no deaths, officials there said. Also read: Italy coronavirus deaths jump by almost 800, government shuts most workplaces The eastern Mediterranean island is divided between the internationally-recognised Republic of Cyprus and the northern third under Turkish control. The individual who died in the south was a 70-year-old British man who had contracted the virus from another Briton while being treated at Paphos general hospital's ICU, said news site Phileleftheros. "During his hospitalisation at Paphos General Hospital, the patient was found positive as a result of tracking COVID-19 contacts at the same clinic," the health ministry said in a statement late Saturday. It said the patient had already suffered a number of underlying health impairments and his condition worsened after contracting the virus at the hospital. The man died at Famagusta Hospital while Paphos General Hospital remains shut after around 20 medical staff contracted the virus from a patient. With nine new cases on Saturday, the Republic of Cyprus has now reported one death plus 83 coronavirus cases, the ministry said.

Cyprus reports first coronavirus death

The Eastern Mediterranean has become a flash-point for the meshing of geopolitics, the struggle for regional hegemony, battles for control of resources, religious soft power rivalry, and blatant interference in the politics of others.

The complex and dangerous juxtaposition of multiple conflicting interests broadens the focus beyond Russia when it comes to meddling in elections, to include countries like Turkey, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. It blurs the lines between multiple conflicts such as the wars in Syria and Libya and the struggle for control of the Eastern Mediterranean’s newly found gas deposits. And it positions contested waters as the latest venue in which Russia and the West battle for influence.

Laying bare the multiple disputes being fought on the back of the Eastern Mediterranean with its natural gas reserves of 122 trillion cubic feet resembles peeling an onion.&nbsp;

Lining up on opposing sides are Middle Eastern, North African, and Eastern Mediterranean nations, Gulf states, Turkey, Russia, and Europe.

Perhaps, most fundamental is the degree to which Europe going forward will be able to reduce its dependence on Russian gas imports. Russia currently satisfies approximately 40 per cent of the European Union’s gas needs.

The ability to reduce Russian imports with gas from the Eastern Mediterranean potentially would allow Europe to adopt a more forceful stand in the struggle between Western liberalism and Russian civilisationalism that is likely to shape new world order.

EU dependence has so far prompted European nations to temper their defence of Western values against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s civilizational policies that include territory grabs in the Caucasus and Ukraine, intimidation of Central Asian nations, and support for Western far-right, neo-Nazi, and anti-immigration forces designed to weaken liberal democracy and strengthen groups more empathetic to the Russian leader’s worldview.

“The bad news is that the Moscow-Washington confrontation will continue; the good news is that there will be some guardrails built around it. . . .The Eastern Mediterranean, however, is emerging as an area where Russia, again, is competing with the West,” said Dmitri Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Center.

Trenin argued that it was the Eastern Mediterranean rather than Ukraine, Crimea, the Baltics, the Arctic, or south-eastern Europe where the tension could flare the most.

If for some nations like Greece, Cyprus, and Lebanon the struggle to control the Eastern Mediterranean’s resources is primarily about economics, for others, including Egypt and Israel it’s about projecting power. That is no truer than for Russia and Turkey, even if their interests against the backdrop of recently diverging positions on the battlefields of Libya and Syria, may differ rather than converge.

Turkey raised the stakes with its military backing of Libya’s internationally recognised Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi, Egyptian, and Russian-backed rebel leader Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA).

A GNA-Turkish maritime agreement that created an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Eastern Mediterranean favouring expansive Turkish claims and the building of relations between Khalifa Haftar and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad link the war in Syria to the Eastern Mediterranean and the fighting in Libya. All at a time when Turkey and Russia manoeuvre to avoid a direct military clash in Idlib, the last stronghold of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (SNA) rebels against Russian-backed Syrian government forces.

The economic zone, or EEZ, would block a planned pipeline that would link the EU to Israeli and Cypriot gas supplies.

If successfully enforced, the zone, coupled with Turkey’s military performance in Syria with the downing of three Syrian warplanes in as many days, would signal to regional hegemonic hopefuls, namely Saudi Arabia and the UAE, that financial muscle may not be enough to impose their will.

Ironically, one key to accommodation that could have reduced the risk of the ideological and geopolitical fuse blowing up and may have contributed to creating an environment of cooperation rather than confrontation lies on the divided island of Cyprus.

Turkey, beyond insisting that Turkish participation is a sine-qua-non for any successful exploitation of Eastern Mediterranean gas, has opposed a role for predominantly Greek-Cypriot Cyprus without the inclusion of the island’s self-declared independent Turkish Cypriot north.

Turkey, which has troops in the north ever since it invaded the island in 1974, is the only country to have recognised the region as an independent state.

The idea of including northern Cyprus may be a pie in the sky in an environment in which geopolitics is a zero-sum game with civilizationalists, nationalists, and autocrats leaving little space for power-sharing. And Europe is too preoccupied with internal problems, and most recently with a new looming Syrian refugee crisis, to project a cohesive and inclusive policy approach.

Scholar and commentator Hussein Ibish cautioned that “All the elements that have compelled the parties to the eastern Mediterranean natural gas competition to develop local alliances that are increasingly melding with other strategic, diplomatic, and political contests appears likely to continue.”

Ibish blamed tension in the Eastern Mediterranean on the “strongly pro-Islamist orientation” of Turkey as “a budding would-be regional economic and political hegemon” rather than on multiple would-be hegemons.

Nonetheless, his conclusion stands that in the Eastern Mediterranean “disputes arising over narrow issues such as natural gas reserves will continue to take on far broader significance.”

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

The Eastern Mediterranean has become a flash-point for the meshing of geopolitics, the struggle for regional hegemony, battles for control of resources, religious soft power rivalry, and blatant interference in the politics of others.

The Eastern Mediterranean has become a flash-point for the meshing of geopolitics, the struggle for regional hegemony, battles for control of resources, religious soft power rivalry, and blatant interference in the politics of others. The complex and dangerous juxtaposition of multiple conflicting interests broadens the focus beyond Russia when it comes to meddling in elections, to include countries like Turkey, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. It blurs the lines between multiple conflicts such as the wars in Syria and Libya and the struggle for control of the Eastern Mediterranean’s newly found gas deposits. And it positions contested waters as the latest venue in which Russia and the West battle for influence. Laying bare the multiple disputes being fought on the back of the Eastern Mediterranean with its natural gas reserves of 122 trillion cubic feet resembles peeling an onion. Lining up on opposing sides are Middle Eastern, North African, and Eastern Mediterranean nations, Gulf states, Turkey, Russia, and Europe. Perhaps, most fundamental is the degree to which Europe going forward will be able to reduce its dependence on Russian gas imports. Russia currently satisfies approximately 40 per cent of the European Union’s gas needs. The ability to reduce Russian imports with gas from the Eastern Mediterranean potentially would allow Europe to adopt a more forceful stand in the struggle between Western liberalism and Russian civilisationalism that is likely to shape new world order. EU dependence has so far prompted European nations to temper their defence of Western values against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s civilizational policies that include territory grabs in the Caucasus and Ukraine, intimidation of Central Asian nations, and support for Western far-right, neo-Nazi, and anti-immigration forces designed to weaken liberal democracy and strengthen groups more empathetic to the Russian leader’s worldview. “The bad news is that the Moscow-Washington confrontation will continue; the good news is that there will be some guardrails built around it. . . .The Eastern Mediterranean, however, is emerging as an area where Russia, again, is competing with the West,” said Dmitri Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Center. Trenin argued that it was the Eastern Mediterranean rather than Ukraine, Crimea, the Baltics, the Arctic, or south-eastern Europe where the tension could flare the most. If for some nations like Greece, Cyprus, and Lebanon the struggle to control the Eastern Mediterranean’s resources is primarily about economics, for others, including Egypt and Israel it’s about projecting power. That is no truer than for Russia and Turkey, even if their interests against the backdrop of recently diverging positions on the battlefields of Libya and Syria, may differ rather than converge. Turkey raised the stakes with its military backing of Libya’s internationally recognised Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi, Egyptian, and Russian-backed rebel leader Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA). A GNA-Turkish maritime agreement that created an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Eastern Mediterranean favouring expansive Turkish claims and the building of relations between Khalifa Haftar and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad link the war in Syria to the Eastern Mediterranean and the fighting in Libya. All at a time when Turkey and Russia manoeuvre to avoid a direct military clash in Idlib, the last stronghold of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (SNA) rebels against Russian-backed Syrian government forces. The economic zone, or EEZ, would block a planned pipeline that would link the EU to Israeli and Cypriot gas supplies. If successfully enforced, the zone, coupled with Turkey’s military performance in Syria with the downing of three Syrian warplanes in as many days, would signal to regional hegemonic hopefuls, namely Saudi Arabia and the UAE, that financial muscle may not be enough to impose their will. Ironically, one key to accommodation that could have reduced the risk of the ideological and geopolitical fuse blowing up and may have contributed to creating an environment of cooperation rather than confrontation lies on the divided island of Cyprus. Turkey, beyond insisting that Turkish participation is a sine-qua-non for any successful exploitation of Eastern Mediterranean gas, has opposed a role for predominantly Greek-Cypriot Cyprus without the inclusion of the island’s self-declared independent Turkish Cypriot north. Turkey, which has troops in the north ever since it invaded the island in 1974, is the only country to have recognised the region as an independent state. The idea of including northern Cyprus may be a pie in the sky in an environment in which geopolitics is a zero-sum game with civilizationalists, nationalists, and autocrats leaving little space for power-sharing. And Europe is too preoccupied with internal problems, and most recently with a new looming Syrian refugee crisis, to project a cohesive and inclusive policy approach. Scholar and commentator Hussein Ibish cautioned that “All the elements that have compelled the parties to the eastern Mediterranean natural gas competition to develop local alliances that are increasingly melding with other strategic, diplomatic, and political contests appears likely to continue.” Ibish blamed tension in the Eastern Mediterranean on the “strongly pro-Islamist orientation” of Turkey as “a budding would-be regional economic and political hegemon” rather than on multiple would-be hegemons. Nonetheless, his conclusion stands that in the Eastern Mediterranean “disputes arising over narrow issues such as natural gas reserves will continue to take on far broader significance.” (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Eastern Mediterranean region: A microcosm of regional and global battles

A&nbsp;British&nbsp;teenager accused of faking a gang&nbsp;rape&nbsp;allegation was given a&nbsp;suspended&nbsp;sentence by a court in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-in-apparent-stumble-calls-israel-a-nuclear-power-272310">Cyprus</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday in a case that prompted a rare rebuke from Britain and protests from activists who say she did not get a fair&nbsp;trial.

The 19-year-old says she was coerced by police into dropping a complaint that she was&nbsp;raped by a group of Israeli youths in the holiday resort of Ayia Napa in July. She was convicted on December&nbsp;30 of public mischief over the withdrawn&nbsp;rape&nbsp;report.

Dressed in black and standing silently before the judge in a packed courtroom, the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was sentenced to four months in&nbsp;jail,&nbsp;suspended&nbsp;for three years.

Raising his voice over chants from supporters of the woman outside, Judge Michalis Papathanasiou said the sentence took into account her age, clean criminal record and remorse, and that he was giving her a "second chance".

"All mitigating factors were taken into account but it does not negate the seriousness of the offense," Papathanasiou said, noting that 12 individuals had been briefly detained on the basis of her accusation.

Police ordered window blinds in the courtroom to be pulled down to block the sight of about 150 protesters who shouted slogans like "Blaming the victim is the second&nbsp;rape" and "Cyprus&nbsp;justice, shame on you".

<img alt="Activists take part in a demonstration outside the Famagusta courthouse in Paralimni, Cyprus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eadefbad-1871-4d74-b66d-4af82c74b59b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2817%29_2.jpg" /> 
[Activists take part in a demonstration to support the british teen outside the Famagusta courthouse in Paralimni, Cyprus (Courtesy: Reuters)]

"We are here to raise social awareness of&nbsp;rape. There is no justice here," said Dana Salmon, one of almost 60 activists from Israel who had flown in to support the woman.

Lawyers say the woman is suffering from post-traumatic stress and will appeal to clear her name.

"The fight for her innocence will go on regardless," said Lewis Power QC, who was assisting the local defense team.

"We will maintain this young girl was stripped of her dignity and basic human rights."

The woman insists that an assault took place and that she was pressured to withdraw her complaint during overnight questioning from police and with no lawyer present. One defence witness, a former state forensic pathologist, said her injuries were consistent with&nbsp;rape.

The case has shone a harsh spotlight on&nbsp;Cyprus, which is popular with&nbsp;British&nbsp;holidaymakers and prompted calls to boycott the island.

British&nbsp;Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-exclaimed-with-f-word-in-reaction-to-soleimanis-killing-in-us-airstrikes-272225">Dominic Raab</a>, who has expressed "very serious concerns" about the woman's treatment, said he was relieved she would be returning home after being barred from leaving the island.

"We will be following up on some of the issues in relation to the case, I spoke to the Cypriot foreign minister about that," he said, adding there was no immediate plan to change the travel advice to&nbsp;Cyprus&nbsp;for Britons.

Twelve Israeli youths who were detained for questioning were swiftly released after the woman recanted her accusation. They were not required to give any evidence at the woman's&nbsp;trial.

Cypriot newspapers have reported that President Nicos Anastasiades might pardon the woman, although a senior government source told reporters that was premature.

Lawyers for the woman say they will press ahead with an appeal because a pardon would not expunge her criminal record.

A British teenager accused of faking a gang rape allegation was given a suspended sentence by a court in Cyprus on Tuesday in a case that prompted a rare rebuke from Britain and protests from activists who say she did not get a fair trial.

A British teenager accused of faking a gang rape allegation was given a suspended sentence by a court in Cyprus on Tuesday in a case that prompted a rare rebuke from Britain and protests from activists who say she did not get a fair trial. The 19-year-old says she was coerced by police into dropping a complaint that she was raped by a group of Israeli youths in the holiday resort of Ayia Napa in July. She was convicted on December 30 of public mischief over the withdrawn rape report. Dressed in black and standing silently before the judge in a packed courtroom, the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for three years. Raising his voice over chants from supporters of the woman outside, Judge Michalis Papathanasiou said the sentence took into account her age, clean criminal record and remorse, and that he was giving her a "second chance". "All mitigating factors were taken into account but it does not negate the seriousness of the offense," Papathanasiou said, noting that 12 individuals had been briefly detained on the basis of her accusation. Police ordered window blinds in the courtroom to be pulled down to block the sight of about 150 protesters who shouted slogans like "Blaming the victim is the second rape" and "Cyprus justice, shame on you". [Activists take part in a demonstration to support the british teen outside the Famagusta courthouse in Paralimni, Cyprus (Courtesy: Reuters)] "We are here to raise social awareness of rape. There is no justice here," said Dana Salmon, one of almost 60 activists from Israel who had flown in to support the woman. Lawyers say the woman is suffering from post-traumatic stress and will appeal to clear her name. "The fight for her innocence will go on regardless," said Lewis Power QC, who was assisting the local defense team. "We will maintain this young girl was stripped of her dignity and basic human rights." The woman insists that an assault took place and that she was pressured to withdraw her complaint during overnight questioning from police and with no lawyer present. One defence witness, a former state forensic pathologist, said her injuries were consistent with rape. The case has shone a harsh spotlight on Cyprus, which is popular with British holidaymakers and prompted calls to boycott the island. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has expressed "very serious concerns" about the woman's treatment, said he was relieved she would be returning home after being barred from leaving the island. "We will be following up on some of the issues in relation to the case, I spoke to the Cypriot foreign minister about that," he said, adding there was no immediate plan to change the travel advice to Cyprus for Britons. Twelve Israeli youths who were detained for questioning were swiftly released after the woman recanted her accusation. They were not required to give any evidence at the woman's trial. Cypriot newspapers have reported that President Nicos Anastasiades might pardon the woman, although a senior government source told reporters that was premature. Lawyers for the woman say they will press ahead with an appeal because a pardon would not expunge her criminal record.

UK teen in Cyprus gang rape case handed four-month suspended jail sentence

In an apparent slip of the tongue on Sunday, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-contributed-to-plotting-terror-attacks-in-new-delhi-london-trump-272027">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> described Israel as a nuclear power before correcting himself with a bashful nod and an embarrassed smile.

Israel is widely believed to have an atomic arsenal but has never confirmed or denied that it has nuclear weapons, maintaining a so-called policy of ambiguity on the issue for decades.

Netanyahu stumbled at the weekly cabinet meeting while reading in Hebrew prepared remarks on a deal with Greece and Cyprus on a subsea gas pipeline.

"The significance of this project is that we are turning Israel into nuclear power," he said, before quickly correcting himself to say "energy power".

He then paused for a beat, acknowledging his mistake with a smile, and then ploughed on with his comments.

The rare blooper from one of Israel's most polished politicians swiftly proliferated on social media.

Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival in a March 2 vote after two inconclusive elections in April and September. In November, he was indicted on corruption charges, which he denies.

In an apparent slip of the tongue on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel as a nuclear power before correcting himself with a bashful nod and an embarrassed smile.

In an apparent slip of the tongue on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel as a nuclear power before correcting himself with a bashful nod and an embarrassed smile. Israel is widely believed to have an atomic arsenal but has never confirmed or denied that it has nuclear weapons, maintaining a so-called policy of ambiguity on the issue for decades. Netanyahu stumbled at the weekly cabinet meeting while reading in Hebrew prepared remarks on a deal with Greece and Cyprus on a subsea gas pipeline. "The significance of this project is that we are turning Israel into nuclear power," he said, before quickly correcting himself to say "energy power". He then paused for a beat, acknowledging his mistake with a smile, and then ploughed on with his comments. The rare blooper from one of Israel's most polished politicians swiftly proliferated on social media. Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival in a March 2 vote after two inconclusive elections in April and September. In November, he was indicted on corruption charges, which he denies.

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu in apparent stumble, calls Israel a 'nuclear power'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-some-eu-countries-are-struggling-to-relocate-migrants-265965">Greece</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyprus-buys-israel-drones-to-monitor-waters-amid-turkey-tensions-254344">Cyprus</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-seeks-immunity-from-graft-charges-271505">Israel</a> on Thursday signed an agreement for a huge <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-finalise-gas-deal-one-day-before-deadline-271258">pipeline</a> project to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe despite Turkey's hostility to the deal.

The move comes amid tensions with Turkey over its activities in the area and a maritime deal with Libya expanding Ankara's claims over a large gas-rich area of the sea.

The 2,000-kilometre (1,200-mile)&nbsp;EastMed&nbsp;pipeline will be able to carry between nine and 12 billion cubic metres of gas a year from offshore reserves held by Israel and Cyprus to Greece, and then on to Italy and other southeastern European countries.

The discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a scramble for the energy riches and a row between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-turkey-raises-pitch-india-reaffirms-support-for-cyprus-territorial-integrity-252329">Cyprus</a> and Turkey, which occupies the northern part of the Mediterranean island.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-wins-likud-party-leadership-race-270464">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades joined the ceremony at which their respective energy ministers signed the deal in the Greek capital.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Today, 🇮🇱🇬🇷🇨🇾 leaders <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IsraeliPM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrimeministerGR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrimeministerGR</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/AnastasiadesCY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnastasiadesCY</a> signed the East-Med Pipeline agreement. 
 
PM Netanyahu: This is a true alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding to the security &amp; stability of the region. 
 
📎 <a href="https://t.co/h53Zeji3OV">https://t.co/h53Zeji3OV</a><a href="https://t.co/w56KOCQLYn">pic.twitter.com/w56KOCQLYn</a>
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraelMFA/status/1212820952167469058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The&nbsp;EastMed&nbsp;project is expected to make the three countries key links in Europe's energy supply chain.

It could also help counter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/250000-migrants-fleeing-from-syrias-idlib-towards-turkey-tayyip-erdogan-271660">Turkey</a>'s effort to extend its control to the eastern Mediterranean.&nbsp;

Turkey already faces European Union sanctions over ships searching for oil and gas off Cyprus, whose government in Nicosia is not recognised by Ankara.

&nbsp;

Boundary row

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in November he envisaged joint energy exploration activities with Libya in the eastern Mediterranean.

His government insists the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus -&nbsp;recognised only by Ankara - has the right to explore around the entire island.

Watch: Turkish parliament passes Libya deployment bill

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkish-parliament-passes-libya-deployment-bill-271836/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Vice President Fuat Oktay said Turkey's pact with Libya had allowed Ankara to foil a plot to confine the country to land.

"No matter who is involved, no plan in the region which excludes Turkey has any chance of success," Oktay told the Anadolu state news agency.

Greece responded angrily to the Turkey-Libya deal, expelling the Libyan ambassador and urging the UN to condemn it.&nbsp;

Part of the agreement sets a maritime boundary between the two countries, which Greece says fails to take into account the Greek island of Crete.

&nbsp;

Peace and cooperation

The&nbsp;EastMed&nbsp;alliance "is of enormous importance to the state of Israel's energy future and its development into an energy power and also from the point of view of stability in the region," Netanyahu said in a statement issued as he left Israel for Greece Thursday.

Mitsotakis said the pipeline was of "geostrategic importance" and would contribute to regional peace.

Earlier, Greek Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis called it "a project of peace and cooperation" despite "Turkish threats".

Anastasiades said his aim was "cooperation and not rivalry in the Middle East".

Avinoam Idan, a former Israeli government security official who is now a geostrategy expert at Haifa University, said of the deal: "It's important for Israel, it's important for the transit countries, Greece and Cyprus, and of course Europe".

As the new source of energy would not compete with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-slams-us-sanctions-on-european-gas-project-269464">Russian supplies</a> to the EU, "there is no reason to see it as a big change in the geopolitical dynamic in Europe's energy market", he told sources.

The Greek economic daily Kathimerini said Wednesday that Athens and Nicosia had been in a hurry to finalise&nbsp;EastMed&nbsp;so as "to counter any attempt by the Turkish neighbour to stop the project".

The cost of the installation from the eastern Mediterranean to Italy is estimated at $6.7 billion.

Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday signed an agreement for a huge pipeline project to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe despite Turkey's hostility to the deal.

Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday signed an agreement for a huge pipeline project to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe despite Turkey's hostility to the deal. The move comes amid tensions with Turkey over its activities in the area and a maritime deal with Libya expanding Ankara's claims over a large gas-rich area of the sea. The 2,000-kilometre (1,200-mile) EastMed pipeline will be able to carry between nine and 12 billion cubic metres of gas a year from offshore reserves held by Israel and Cyprus to Greece, and then on to Italy and other southeastern European countries. The discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a scramble for the energy riches and a row between Cyprus and Turkey, which occupies the northern part of the Mediterranean island. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades joined the ceremony at which their respective energy ministers signed the deal in the Greek capital. Today, 🇮🇱🇬🇷🇨🇾 leaders @IsraeliPM @PrimeministerGR & @AnastasiadesCY signed the East-Med Pipeline agreement. PM Netanyahu: This is a true alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding to the security & stability of the region. 📎 https://t.co/h53Zeji3OVpic.twitter.com/w56KOCQLYn — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) January 2, 2020 × The EastMed project is expected to make the three countries key links in Europe's energy supply chain. It could also help counter Turkey's effort to extend its control to the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey already faces European Union sanctions over ships searching for oil and gas off Cyprus, whose government in Nicosia is not recognised by Ankara. Boundary row Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in November he envisaged joint energy exploration activities with Libya in the eastern Mediterranean. His government insists the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - recognised only by Ankara - has the right to explore around the entire island. Watch: Turkish parliament passes Libya deployment bill × Vice President Fuat Oktay said Turkey's pact with Libya had allowed Ankara to foil a plot to confine the country to land. "No matter who is involved, no plan in the region which excludes Turkey has any chance of success," Oktay told the Anadolu state news agency. Greece responded angrily to the Turkey-Libya deal, expelling the Libyan ambassador and urging the UN to condemn it. Part of the agreement sets a maritime boundary between the two countries, which Greece says fails to take into account the Greek island of Crete. Peace and cooperation The EastMed alliance "is of enormous importance to the state of Israel's energy future and its development into an energy power and also from the point of view of stability in the region," Netanyahu said in a statement issued as he left Israel for Greece Thursday. Mitsotakis said the pipeline was of "geostrategic importance" and would contribute to regional peace. Earlier, Greek Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis called it "a project of peace and cooperation" despite "Turkish threats". Anastasiades said his aim was "cooperation and not rivalry in the Middle East". Avinoam Idan, a former Israeli government security official who is now a geostrategy expert at Haifa University, said of the deal: "It's important for Israel, it's important for the transit countries, Greece and Cyprus, and of course Europe". As the new source of energy would not compete with Russian supplies to the EU, "there is no reason to see it as a big change in the geopolitical dynamic in Europe's energy market", he told sources. The Greek economic daily Kathimerini said Wednesday that Athens and Nicosia had been in a hurry to finalise EastMed so as "to counter any attempt by the Turkish neighbour to stop the project". The cost of the installation from the eastern Mediterranean to Italy is estimated at $6.7 billion.

Greece, Cyprus, Israel sign EastMed pipeline deal

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../nato-and-the-eu-a-short-history-of-an-uneasy- relationship-265984">Cyprus</a> has petitioned the International Court of Justice at The&nbsp;Hague&nbsp;to safeguard its offshore mineral rights, its president said on Thursday, as neighbour Turkey disputes its claims.

The two countries are at loggerheads over offshore maritime zones around the island, where Cyprus has granted licences to multinational companies for oil and gas research.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../as-turkey-raises-pitch-india-reaffirms-support- for-cyprus-territorial-integrity-252329">Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades</a> said Cyprus is committed to protecting its sovereign rights with every legal means possible.

"Our recourse to The&nbsp;Hague&nbsp;has that very purpose," he told journalists in Nicosia.

Turkey, which does not have diplomatic relations with Cyprus's internationally recognised government, says Nicosia either has no jurisdiction to offer licences or that some zones encroach on the Turkish continental shelf. It has sent its own drill ships to the island.

Anastasiades said Cyprus had attempted to deliver a notice of its intentions to Turkey's embassy in Athens but it was not accepted. "So it was sent another way," he said. "There is proof that it was received, so that gives (Cyprus) the right to recourse."

Cyprus's Sigma TV, which first reported the story, said the notice was sent by fax.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../nato-and-the-eu-a-short-history-of-an-uneasy- relationship-265984">EU</a> member Cyprus was divided in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief Greek-inspired coup. Turkey supports a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in north Cyprus.

Cyprus has petitioned the International Court of Justice at The Hague to safeguard its offshore mineral rights, its president said on Thursday, as neighbour Turkey disputes its claims.

Cyprus has petitioned the International Court of Justice at The Hague to safeguard its offshore mineral rights, its president said on Thursday, as neighbour Turkey disputes its claims. The two countries are at loggerheads over offshore maritime zones around the island, where Cyprus has granted licences to multinational companies for oil and gas research. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Cyprus is committed to protecting its sovereign rights with every legal means possible. "Our recourse to The Hague has that very purpose," he told journalists in Nicosia. Turkey, which does not have diplomatic relations with Cyprus's internationally recognised government, says Nicosia either has no jurisdiction to offer licences or that some zones encroach on the Turkish continental shelf. It has sent its own drill ships to the island. Anastasiades said Cyprus had attempted to deliver a notice of its intentions to Turkey's embassy in Athens but it was not accepted. "So it was sent another way," he said. "There is proof that it was received, so that gives (Cyprus) the right to recourse." Cyprus's Sigma TV, which first reported the story, said the notice was sent by fax. EU member Cyprus was divided in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief Greek-inspired coup. Turkey supports a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in north Cyprus.

Cyprus petitions The Hague to safeguard offshore rights

Wales reached their second straight European Championship finals after a goal in each half by midfielder Aaron Ramsey gave them a 2-0 home win over Hungary in their decisive Group E qualifier on Tuesday.

The Welsh, who reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals, finished runners-up on 14 points from eight games, three behind Croatia who sealed their berth on Saturday with a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/croatia-thump-hungary-to-stay-on-course-slovakia-hold-wales-255125">3-1 win over Slovakia</a>.

Having previously gone 58 years without reaching a major tournament after the 1958 World Cup, there were joyous scenes at the Cardiff City Stadium as Wales produced a dominant display to wrap up qualification.

Both sides needed victory to progress and Wales drew first blood when Ramsey rose to head home from six metres in the 15th minute after a perfect Gareth Bale cross from the right.

With Hungary pressing for an equaliser, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey made a crucial double save in the 34th minute when he parried a Dominik Szoboszlai shot from eight metres and then smothered Roland Sallai’s follow up.

Ramsey, who tore Hungary's midfield apart with crisp passing, struck again in the 47th with a close-range drive into the top corner after Kieffer Moore scrambled a Ben Davies free-kick into his path.

Hungary were fortunate not to concede more goals as Daniel James curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area inches wide before Hungary keeper Peter Gulacsi denied Ramsey a hat-trick with a reflex save.

The Hungarians will have another chance to reach next year's 24-nation tournament via the playoffs and so will Slovakia, who beat Azerbaijan 2-0 at home in the group's other fixture.

Belgium thrashes Cyprus&nbsp;

Christian Benteke and Kevin De Bruyne scored two goals each as Belgium thrashed Cyprus 6-1 in their Euro 2020 Group I qualifier at the King Baudouin Stadium on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/belgium-first-team-into-euro-2020-finals-after-9-0-win-255114">Belgium finish top of their pool</a> with a perfect 10 wins from 10 games, scoring 40 goals in the process, as Yannick Carrasco and an own goal from Kypros Christoforou completed the rout of Cyprus.

The visitors had silenced their hosts with an early strike as Nicholas Ioannou drilled the ball into the corner of the net, but the Belgium supporters were soon back on their feet after an exhibition from their side after that.

Carrasco’s excellent pass provided the opportunity for Benteke to level the score before Cyprus goalkeeper Michael Neofytos somehow allowed De Bruyne’s weak shot to squirm past him.

Carrasco was the provider again as he teed-up De Bruyne to complete a brace before the former grabbed the goal his performance deserved a minute before the break after burying his shot from Eden Hazard's pass.

There was little let-up in the second period as Belgium continued to dominate, with Christoforou putting the ball into his own net and Benteke adding the sixth.

Wijnaldum hat-trick drives the Netherlands to easy win over Estonia

Georginio Wijnaldum struck a hat-trick as the Netherlands, who had already <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/germany-netherlands-croatia-qualify-for-euro-2020-262653">booked a spot at Euro 2020</a>, eased to a 5-0 victory over Estonia in their final Group C qualifying clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday.

The home side were in complete control of the contest from early on, with defender Nathan Ake and 18-year-old debutant Myron Boadu also among the goals, as they finished second in the standings with 19 points from eight games, two behind group winners Germany.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said before the game that he would experiment with team selection and stuck to his word, with livewire Quincy Promes converted to right-back, and AZ Alkmaar forward Calvin Stengs, 20, handed a debut from the start.

It took the home side just six minutes to hit the front, as Promes was afforded far too much space on the right and his delivery was headed back across goal and into the net by Wijnaldum, who netted eight times in his seven matches in the qualifiers.

Netherlands dominated possession and launched wave after wave of attacks. They were rewarded for their endeavour with a second goal as Ake headed in a cross from Memphis Depay.

There was little to enthuse over in the opening 20 minutes of the second period but the Netherlands got their third when Stengs robbed the ball off Estonia defender Karol Mets and set up Wijnaldum for his second.

Captain for the night, Wijnaldum then collected a pass from Stengs to complete his hat-trick, before AZ forward Boadu came off the bench to net the fifth.

Germany crush Northern Ireland with Gnabry treble to top group

Serge Gnabry scored a hat-trick as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ginter-the-inspiration-as-germany-clinch-euro-2020-spot-262834">already-qualified Germany</a> came from a goal down to crush Northern Ireland 6-1 in their final Euro 2020 qualifier to finish top of Group C on Tuesday.

It was a successful end to a difficult year for Germany, seeking to overhaul the team after last year's shock World Cup first-round exit and Nations League relegation.

They qualified, having won seven of their eight qualifiers and losing once to the Netherlands.

With qualification already sealed after Saturday's 4-0 victory over Belarus, Germany showed no nerves and quickly cancelled out Michael Smith's shock eighth-minute opener for the visitors with Gnabry's fine turn and shot in the 19th.

Leon Goretzka's 43rd-minute goal put Germany ahead before Gnabry then drilled in their third straight after the restart.

The 24-year-old winger completed his hat-trick on the hour to take his tally to 13 goals in 13 internationals. Goretzka then fired in from 20 metres to crown his own fine performance.

Julian Brandt completed the rout in stoppage time as the Germans finished on 21 points, two ahead of the second-placed Dutch, while Northern Ireland ended the qualifying campaign in third place on 13 points and will go into the playoffs. 
&nbsp;

Wales reached their second straight European Championship finals after a goal in each half by midfielder Aaron Ramsey gave them a 2-0 home win over Hungary in their decisive Group E qualifier on Tuesday.

Wales reached their second straight European Championship finals after a goal in each half by midfielder Aaron Ramsey gave them a 2-0 home win over Hungary in their decisive Group E qualifier on Tuesday. The Welsh, who reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals, finished runners-up on 14 points from eight games, three behind Croatia who sealed their berth on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Slovakia. Having previously gone 58 years without reaching a major tournament after the 1958 World Cup, there were joyous scenes at the Cardiff City Stadium as Wales produced a dominant display to wrap up qualification. Both sides needed victory to progress and Wales drew first blood when Ramsey rose to head home from six metres in the 15th minute after a perfect Gareth Bale cross from the right. With Hungary pressing for an equaliser, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey made a crucial double save in the 34th minute when he parried a Dominik Szoboszlai shot from eight metres and then smothered Roland Sallai’s follow up. Ramsey, who tore Hungary's midfield apart with crisp passing, struck again in the 47th with a close-range drive into the top corner after Kieffer Moore scrambled a Ben Davies free-kick into his path. Hungary were fortunate not to concede more goals as Daniel James curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area inches wide before Hungary keeper Peter Gulacsi denied Ramsey a hat-trick with a reflex save. The Hungarians will have another chance to reach next year's 24-nation tournament via the playoffs and so will Slovakia, who beat Azerbaijan 2-0 at home in the group's other fixture. Belgium thrashes Cyprus Christian Benteke and Kevin De Bruyne scored two goals each as Belgium thrashed Cyprus 6-1 in their Euro 2020 Group I qualifier at the King Baudouin Stadium on Tuesday. Belgium finish top of their pool with a perfect 10 wins from 10 games, scoring 40 goals in the process, as Yannick Carrasco and an own goal from Kypros Christoforou completed the rout of Cyprus. The visitors had silenced their hosts with an early strike as Nicholas Ioannou drilled the ball into the corner of the net, but the Belgium supporters were soon back on their feet after an exhibition from their side after that. Carrasco’s excellent pass provided the opportunity for Benteke to level the score before Cyprus goalkeeper Michael Neofytos somehow allowed De Bruyne’s weak shot to squirm past him. Carrasco was the provider again as he teed-up De Bruyne to complete a brace before the former grabbed the goal his performance deserved a minute before the break after burying his shot from Eden Hazard's pass. There was little let-up in the second period as Belgium continued to dominate, with Christoforou putting the ball into his own net and Benteke adding the sixth. Wijnaldum hat-trick drives the Netherlands to easy win over Estonia Georginio Wijnaldum struck a hat-trick as the Netherlands, who had already booked a spot at Euro 2020, eased to a 5-0 victory over Estonia in their final Group C qualifying clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday. The home side were in complete control of the contest from early on, with defender Nathan Ake and 18-year-old debutant Myron Boadu also among the goals, as they finished second in the standings with 19 points from eight games, two behind group winners Germany. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said before the game that he would experiment with team selection and stuck to his word, with livewire Quincy Promes converted to right-back, and AZ Alkmaar forward Calvin Stengs, 20, handed a debut from the start. It took the home side just six minutes to hit the front, as Promes was afforded far too much space on the right and his delivery was headed back across goal and into the net by Wijnaldum, who netted eight times in his seven matches in the qualifiers. Netherlands dominated possession and launched wave after wave of attacks. They were rewarded for their endeavour with a second goal as Ake headed in a cross from Memphis Depay. There was little to enthuse over in the opening 20 minutes of the second period but the Netherlands got their third when Stengs robbed the ball off Estonia defender Karol Mets and set up Wijnaldum for his second. Captain for the night, Wijnaldum then collected a pass from Stengs to complete his hat-trick, before AZ forward Boadu came off the bench to net the fifth. Germany crush Northern Ireland with Gnabry treble to top group Serge Gnabry scored a hat-trick as already-qualified Germany came from a goal down to crush Northern Ireland 6-1 in their final Euro 2020 qualifier to finish top of Group C on Tuesday. It was a successful end to a difficult year for Germany, seeking to overhaul the team after last year's shock World Cup first-round exit and Nations League relegation. They qualified, having won seven of their eight qualifiers and losing once to the Netherlands. With qualification already sealed after Saturday's 4-0 victory over Belarus, Germany showed no nerves and quickly cancelled out Michael Smith's shock eighth-minute opener for the visitors with Gnabry's fine turn and shot in the 19th. Leon Goretzka's 43rd-minute goal put Germany ahead before Gnabry then drilled in their third straight after the restart. The 24-year-old winger completed his hat-trick on the hour to take his tally to 13 goals in 13 internationals. Goretzka then fired in from 20 metres to crown his own fine performance. Julian Brandt completed the rout in stoppage time as the Germans finished on 21 points, two ahead of the second-placed Dutch, while Northern Ireland ended the qualifying campaign in third place on 13 points and will go into the playoffs.

Wales qualifies for Euro 202; Belgium, Netherlands, Germany secure victories in final qualifying clash

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he would not give in to EU demands to stop oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean around Cyprus.

Brussels has repeatedly warned Turkey to halt drilling off the coast of EU member Cyprus, and announced on Monday that a framework had been agreed to impose travel bans and asset freezes on the individuals and companies involved.

"Do not dare to give an ultimatum to Turkey about the developments on Cyprus," Erdogan said in a televised press conference. "We do not care about it, and we will proceed on our path."

The discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a dispute between Cyprus and Turkey, which occupies the north of the Mediterranean island.

Erdogan again used the threat of "opening the gates" to millions of Syrian refugees that Turkey is hosting, and called for greater support, given its efforts in handling jihadist prisoners.&nbsp;

"Review your attitude toward a country which keeps so many Daesh members in prisons and similarly controls them on the Syrian side," Erdogan said, using another name for the Islamic State group.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he would not give in to EU demands to stop oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean around Cyprus.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he would not give in to EU demands to stop oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean around Cyprus. Brussels has repeatedly warned Turkey to halt drilling off the coast of EU member Cyprus, and announced on Monday that a framework had been agreed to impose travel bans and asset freezes on the individuals and companies involved. "Do not dare to give an ultimatum to Turkey about the developments on Cyprus," Erdogan said in a televised press conference. "We do not care about it, and we will proceed on our path." The discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a dispute between Cyprus and Turkey, which occupies the north of the Mediterranean island. Erdogan again used the threat of "opening the gates" to millions of Syrian refugees that Turkey is hosting, and called for greater support, given its efforts in handling jihadist prisoners. "Review your attitude toward a country which keeps so many Daesh members in prisons and similarly controls them on the Syrian side," Erdogan said, using another name for the Islamic State group.

Erdogan defies European Union sanctions threat over Cyprus drilling

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-turkey-raises-pitch-india-reaffirms-support-for-cyprus-territorial-integrity-252329">Cyprus has acquired four Israeli-made drones</a>, according to the defence ministry, amid tensions with Turkey over gas exploration in the island's waters.

Kathimerini Cyprus website said the drones, bought at a cost of $13 million in a first for the country, will be used to monitor its exclusive economic zone where international energy companies are searching for natural gas despite opposition from Turkey.

Israel's Aeronautics that makes the Aerostar Tactical UAS (TUAS), a drone with a wingspan of 8.7 metres, contacted by AFP, would not confirm the sale, citing company policy to not divulge the identity of clients.

EU member Cyprus last week accused Turkey of defying the bloc by sending another drilling ship to operate inside its waters.

Nicosia said Turkey has sent the drillship Yavuz inside block 7 of its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, a zone licensed to Italy’s Eni and France’s Total in an agreement signed last month.

According to the Cyprus government, the area where the Turkish vessel is operating is clearly defined under international law as Cypriot territorial waters.

Washington and Brussels have urged Turkey to withdraw the vessels from Cypriot waters, with the EU imposing sanctions on Ankara.

Turkey, which has now sent three drillships off Cyprus, is opposed to Nicosia’s energy exploration plans and wants a say in the development of hydrocarbons in the region.

Ankara also demands Turkish Cypriots on the divided island have their share of the profits from natural gas but argues a Cyprus solution must be found first.

Turkey has had troops stationed in the country since 1974 when it invaded and occupied its northern third after a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece.

Cyprus has acquired four Israeli-made drones, according to the defence ministry, amid tensions with Turkey over gas exploration in the island's waters. Kathimerini Cyprus website said the drones, bought at a cost of $13 million in a first for the country, will be used to monitor its exclusive economic zone where international energy companies are searching for natural gas despite opposition from Turkey.

Cyprus has acquired four Israeli-made drones, according to the defence ministry, amid tensions with Turkey over gas exploration in the island's waters. Kathimerini Cyprus website said the drones, bought at a cost of $13 million in a first for the country, will be used to monitor its exclusive economic zone where international energy companies are searching for natural gas despite opposition from Turkey. Israel's Aeronautics that makes the Aerostar Tactical UAS (TUAS), a drone with a wingspan of 8.7 metres, contacted by AFP, would not confirm the sale, citing company policy to not divulge the identity of clients. EU member Cyprus last week accused Turkey of defying the bloc by sending another drilling ship to operate inside its waters. Nicosia said Turkey has sent the drillship Yavuz inside block 7 of its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, a zone licensed to Italy’s Eni and France’s Total in an agreement signed last month. According to the Cyprus government, the area where the Turkish vessel is operating is clearly defined under international law as Cypriot territorial waters. Washington and Brussels have urged Turkey to withdraw the vessels from Cypriot waters, with the EU imposing sanctions on Ankara. Turkey, which has now sent three drillships off Cyprus, is opposed to Nicosia’s energy exploration plans and wants a say in the development of hydrocarbons in the region. Ankara also demands Turkish Cypriots on the divided island have their share of the profits from natural gas but argues a Cyprus solution must be found first. Turkey has had troops stationed in the country since 1974 when it invaded and occupied its northern third after a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece.

Cyprus buys Israel drones to monitor waters amid Turkey tensions

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modis-week-long-us-visit-to-end-with-unga-address-on-friday-252137">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> met the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and reiterated <a href="Narendra Modi holds meetings with business leaders in New York">India’s</a> "consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus."

The development comes at a time when Turkey has been very vocal and continues to back Pakistan's line on Kashmir. In fact, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke from the United Nations General Assembly on Kashmir, which may irk New Delhi.

Cyprus and Turkey don't have very good ties as Turkey occupies the northern part of the island country. Recently, Ankara threatened Cyprus with its plan to drill in what Nicosia says is their&nbsp;"exclusive economic zone".

Nicos Anastasiades speaking from UNGA said, "Turkey threatens Cyprus that there will be severe consequences if we proceed ahead with our energy programme... it threatens neighbouring states and energy companies, with which we are cooperating and have established conventional obligations".

Cyprus is called Europe's last divided country with its capital being referred to as the last divided capital of the continent. The Mediterranean island country was invaded by Turkey in 1974 and led to the formation of "Northern Cyprus", recognised only by Turkey. Turkey continues to retain its military presence in the region and has&nbsp;faced criticism for its actions by the United Nations Security Council.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and reiterated India’s "consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and reiterated India’s "consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus." The development comes at a time when Turkey has been very vocal and continues to back Pakistan's line on Kashmir. In fact, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke from the United Nations General Assembly on Kashmir, which may irk New Delhi. Cyprus and Turkey don't have very good ties as Turkey occupies the northern part of the island country. Recently, Ankara threatened Cyprus with its plan to drill in what Nicosia says is their "exclusive economic zone". Nicos Anastasiades speaking from UNGA said, "Turkey threatens Cyprus that there will be severe consequences if we proceed ahead with our energy programme... it threatens neighbouring states and energy companies, with which we are cooperating and have established conventional obligations". Cyprus is called Europe's last divided country with its capital being referred to as the last divided capital of the continent. The Mediterranean island country was invaded by Turkey in 1974 and led to the formation of "Northern Cyprus", recognised only by Turkey. Turkey continues to retain its military presence in the region and has faced criticism for its actions by the United Nations Security Council.

As Turkey raises pitch, India reaffirms support for Cyprus' territorial integrity

The EU has announced an urgent investigation after suspected Chinese military <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-intelligence-behind-marriott-data-hack-us-183707">hackers</a> accessed thousands of sensitive diplomatic cables.

Area 1 Security, a US cybersecurity firm, said a unit of China's People's Liberation Army, acting on government orders, breached a secure communications network used by the EU to coordinate foreign policy.

The New York Times published some of the cables, which are from European Union diplomatic missions around the world and reveal anxiety about how to handle US President Donald Trump as well as concerns about the behaviour of China, Russia and Iran.

The breach recalls the publication by WikiLeaks of a vast haul of US State Department cables in 2010, though in the EU case the trove is much smaller and consists of less secret communications.

Area 1, which was able to see the documents, said the attack targeted the EU, the United Nations and the AFL-CIO labour union in the US.

EU officials said Wednesday they have begun a probe into the leak, which comes with Europe on high alert for malign online activity in the run-up to key parliamentary elections in May next year.

"The Council Secretariat is aware of allegations regarding a potential leak of sensitive information and is actively investigating the issue," the EU Council, which represents member states, said.

"The Council Secretariat does not comment on allegations nor on matters relating to operational security. The Council Secretariat takes the security of its facilities, including its IT systems, extremely seriously."

European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said the bloc took any report of hacking its systems "extremely seriously" but refused to comment on the detail of the leak.

"What is clear is that no institution or country is immune to these kinds of hacks all communications systems have vulnerabilities," he told reporters. 
"We're constantly dealing with this challenge, upgrading our communication systems to respond to the threats."

Entry via Cyprus

Area 1 said the hackers gained access to the diplomatic communications network after a simple "phishing" campaign targeting the foreign ministry in Cyprus with mails designed to trick them into downloading hacking tools. Diplomatic sources said Cyprus has begun its own investigation and asked other EU countries for technical help.

Once inside the EU system, the hackers extracted thousands of diplomatic cables, most of which have a low-security classification according to the New York Times, which was given 1,100 by Area 1 and published a selection.

Many of the cables are run-of-the-mill weekly reports from missions around the world, detailing conversations with leaders and officials, the NYT said.

But there is also analysis of trends in global politics and trade, particularly on China's changing role under President Xi Jinping and relations with Russia and the US, and tantalising glimpses into closed-door meetings.

In one cable, the EU's diplomatic mission in Moscow describes the controversial summit in Helsinki in July between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as "successful (at least for Putin)".

Another gives a detailed account of a meeting with President Xi in which he rails against Trump's trade tactics, saying the US was "behaving as if it was fighting in a no-rules freestyle boxing match" and vowing not to give in to "bullying".

In a somewhat ironic turn, the account describes Chinese Premier Li Keqiang assuring <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eus-tusk-said-no-more-brexit-negotiations-184119">EU President Donald Tusk</a> of Beijing's "steadfast opposition to cyber-attacks and hacking".

The EU has announced an urgent investigation after suspected Chinese military hackers accessed thousands of sensitive diplomatic cables. Area 1 Security, a US cybersecurity firm, said a unit of China's People's Liberation Army, acting on government orders, breached a secure communications network used by the EU to coordinate foreign policy.

The EU has announced an urgent investigation after suspected Chinese military hackers accessed thousands of sensitive diplomatic cables. Area 1 Security, a US cybersecurity firm, said a unit of China's People's Liberation Army, acting on government orders, breached a secure communications network used by the EU to coordinate foreign policy. The New York Times published some of the cables, which are from European Union diplomatic missions around the world and reveal anxiety about how to handle US President Donald Trump as well as concerns about the behaviour of China, Russia and Iran. The breach recalls the publication by WikiLeaks of a vast haul of US State Department cables in 2010, though in the EU case the trove is much smaller and consists of less secret communications. Area 1, which was able to see the documents, said the attack targeted the EU, the United Nations and the AFL-CIO labour union in the US. EU officials said Wednesday they have begun a probe into the leak, which comes with Europe on high alert for malign online activity in the run-up to key parliamentary elections in May next year. "The Council Secretariat is aware of allegations regarding a potential leak of sensitive information and is actively investigating the issue," the EU Council, which represents member states, said. "The Council Secretariat does not comment on allegations nor on matters relating to operational security. The Council Secretariat takes the security of its facilities, including its IT systems, extremely seriously." European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said the bloc took any report of hacking its systems "extremely seriously" but refused to comment on the detail of the leak. "What is clear is that no institution or country is immune to these kinds of hacks all communications systems have vulnerabilities," he told reporters. "We're constantly dealing with this challenge, upgrading our communication systems to respond to the threats." Entry via Cyprus Area 1 said the hackers gained access to the diplomatic communications network after a simple "phishing" campaign targeting the foreign ministry in Cyprus with mails designed to trick them into downloading hacking tools. Diplomatic sources said Cyprus has begun its own investigation and asked other EU countries for technical help. Once inside the EU system, the hackers extracted thousands of diplomatic cables, most of which have a low-security classification according to the New York Times, which was given 1,100 by Area 1 and published a selection. Many of the cables are run-of-the-mill weekly reports from missions around the world, detailing conversations with leaders and officials, the NYT said. But there is also analysis of trends in global politics and trade, particularly on China's changing role under President Xi Jinping and relations with Russia and the US, and tantalising glimpses into closed-door meetings. In one cable, the EU's diplomatic mission in Moscow describes the controversial summit in Helsinki in July between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as "successful (at least for Putin)". Another gives a detailed account of a meeting with President Xi in which he rails against Trump's trade tactics, saying the US was "behaving as if it was fighting in a no-rules freestyle boxing match" and vowing not to give in to "bullying". In a somewhat ironic turn, the account describes Chinese Premier Li Keqiang assuring EU President Donald Tusk of Beijing's "steadfast opposition to cyber-attacks and hacking".

EU orders probe into hacking of diplomatic cables; suspects China

At least two people died in flooding in northern Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot media reported on Thursday, as hail and rain hammered the island.

Turkish Cypriot media said the victims' car was swept away during a deluge late Wednesday. Cyprus residents have reported virtually uninterrupted rain since early Tuesday, with some saying it was the heaviest in memory.

Flash flooding from an isolated downpour is not uncommon in Cyprus, but sustained floods are rare. Further bad weather was expected on Thursday.

"In minutes, it's gone from beautiful sunshine to freezing cold with rumbles of thunder in the distance. I'm not looking forward to this," one northern Cyprus resident said.

People were sewing sandbags to prevent water seeping through window seals and under doors, she said.

Social media images showed cars swept away into the sea, submerged in flood water and water gushing through homes. &nbsp;

Normally dry rivers burst their banks, causing damage in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, and forcing the partial closure of a motorway linking the city to Kyrenia, a historic harbour town on the island’s northern coast. Many schools were shut.

"I have never seen anything like it," said Devin Reid, 25, a resident of northern Nicosia. "Our front street looked like a river."

At least two people died in flooding in northern Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot media reported on Thursday, as hail and rain hammered the island. Turkish Cypriot media said the victims' car was swept away during a deluge late Wednesday.

At least two people died in flooding in northern Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot media reported on Thursday, as hail and rain hammered the island. Turkish Cypriot media said the victims' car was swept away during a deluge late Wednesday. Cyprus residents have reported virtually uninterrupted rain since early Tuesday, with some saying it was the heaviest in memory. Flash flooding from an isolated downpour is not uncommon in Cyprus, but sustained floods are rare. Further bad weather was expected on Thursday. "In minutes, it's gone from beautiful sunshine to freezing cold with rumbles of thunder in the distance. I'm not looking forward to this," one northern Cyprus resident said. People were sewing sandbags to prevent water seeping through window seals and under doors, she said. Social media images showed cars swept away into the sea, submerged in flood water and water gushing through homes. Normally dry rivers burst their banks, causing damage in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, and forcing the partial closure of a motorway linking the city to Kyrenia, a historic harbour town on the island’s northern coast. Many schools were shut. "I have never seen anything like it," said Devin Reid, 25, a resident of northern Nicosia. "Our front street looked like a river."

At least two dead as rain and floods lash Cyprus

Turkey will not allow the exploitation of gas reserves in Turkish and north Cypriot waters of the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

The eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas, and attempts to tap resources there have revived tensions between Turkey and Greece, which has a defence protection pact with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government.

Turkey and Cyprus have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction and both plan to carry out exploratory drills this year. Ankara only has diplomatic relations with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that is not recognised by other countries.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the delivery of a naval corvette and submarine, Erdogan said countries that thought they could operate in the eastern Mediterranean or Aegean seas without Ankara's agreement were mistaken.

"We will not accept attempts to extract natural resources in our country, Cyprus or in the eastern Mediterranean," Erdogan said.

Last month Turkey complained that a Greek frigate had harassed a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus. Greece denied the charge and Cyprus accused Turkey of stirring up tensions.

Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Cyprus Republic in 1960.

The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Turkey will not allow the exploitation of gas reserves in Turkish and north Cypriot waters of the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

Turkey will not allow the exploitation of gas reserves in Turkish and north Cypriot waters of the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday. The eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas, and attempts to tap resources there have revived tensions between Turkey and Greece, which has a defence protection pact with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government. Turkey and Cyprus have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction and both plan to carry out exploratory drills this year. Ankara only has diplomatic relations with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that is not recognised by other countries. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the delivery of a naval corvette and submarine, Erdogan said countries that thought they could operate in the eastern Mediterranean or Aegean seas without Ankara's agreement were mistaken. "We will not accept attempts to extract natural resources in our country, Cyprus or in the eastern Mediterranean," Erdogan said. Last month Turkey complained that a Greek frigate had harassed a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus. Greece denied the charge and Cyprus accused Turkey of stirring up tensions. Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Cyprus Republic in 1960. The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Erdogan says other countries cannot extract gas in Turkish, North Cyprus waters

cyprus

Cyprus, News on Cyprus, stories on Cyprus, articles on Cyprus, Cyprus stories at Wion, Cyprus news, Cyprus latest news