Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his counterpart in the Turkish Government on the Turkish Navy's obstruction of vessels involved in hydrocarbon extraction in the eastern Mediterranean.

We recognise the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign rights to its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and to exploit its natural resources. We have discussed recent developments with all sides, including Turkey, with a view to encouraging a resolution.

We urge all parties to avoid any actions that risk escalating tensions in the region or could have a negative impact on the prospects for a Cyprus Settlement. Instead, we urge them to look for ways by which development of hydrocarbons can support the search for a settlement, for the benefit of all Cypriots.