Cyprus Welcomes Departure of Turkey’s Yavuz from EEZ

Cyprus Government Spokesman Kyriacos Koushos welcomed on Monday Turkey’s move to order its drillship Yavuz leave the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

This move is seen as a step toward a possible de-escalation of tensions.

In a press statement, the Cypriot spokesman said that this was a step in the right direction in ongoing efforts to diffuse the crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean which has been boiling for months.

According to the Philenews website, Yavuz's departure was likely linked to behind-the-scene diplomatic efforts, especially by Germany to ease tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The vessel had been set to leave the sea area southwest of the ethnically-split island on October 12, according to Turkey’s unauthorized navigational telex (Navtex).

It is worth mentioning that, during the EU Council meeting, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades had been pressing for EU sanctions against Turkey for repeatedly violating Cyprus’ EEZ.