newsitems

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Professor Emmanuel Decaux, of Paris' Pantheon University, an Experienced Member and former President of UNO's Committee on Enforced  Disappearances (CED) at nearby Geneva, speaking to "Eurofora" at the CoE, on the occasion of an International Seminar on such Tragic Issues, co-Organized by UNO, the CoE, and the Foundation René Cassin for Human Rights, Chaired by ECHR's former Long-Time President, Professor Jean-Paul Costa, (Comp. various Costa statements to "Eurofora", f.ex.: at ..., +..., +...., etc), appeared to find that eventual Obstacles to Investigations might be Easier to Tackle, when it comes to Time Deadlines, than when it concerns Destruction of Material Evidence.

Both these Problems appear, particularly, even to one among the Older and World-Famous Cases of Many "Missing" People, with which ECHR and CoE's Committee of Ministers, have been Dealing since Many Years, but withOut, yet, being able to overcome, not even once, the Total Impunity of all those who might be Responsible for More than a Thousand of Enforced Disappearances, because of several practical Obstacles until now :

- Those of Greek Cypriot "Missing" Persons (initially more than 1.689) mainly after the Turkish Military Invasion/Occupation since 1974, for which Ankara's  Government has been repeatedly Condemned by the ECHR, but without yet finding Anyone among those Responsible for their Enforced Disappearance, Despite many Years of Efforts to Implement ECHR's Judgements.

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President Costa reminded, from the outset, that he had "Presided in the (ECHR's) Grand Chamber case of Varnava v. Turkey", (which, precisely, concerns a great part of those Cyprus' cases).

+ And he Stressed, as a matter of General Principle, that "the Phenomenon of Enforced Disappearances represents one of the Worst Violations of Human Rights, and Spreads in Many parts of the World", while "it may qualify as a "Crime Against Humanity". Nevertheless, "the Number of Disappearances is Currently more Increasing (f.ex. in Mexico, etc), than not", as he observed.

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 - "Eurofora" asked, at First, Professor Decaux, to confirm Whether and How, the UNO's Committed on Enforced Disappearances, (which has Entered into Force only during Recent Years, might, nevertheless, eventually Extend also to some among some among the Older, and Internationaly Famous cases of "Missing" People in Europe, which have already been Judged by ECHR, a Long Time ago, as those, f.ex., of Cyprus, and/or Others, which concern Facts dating at least since the 1970ies.

Just before that, Japan's Consul General and Permanent Observer at the CoE, Takamasa Sato, had told "Eurofora" that his Country was particularly interested also with certain "Missing" Persons' issues, affecting Japanese People, already since the Late 1970ies, allegedly, f.ex. in Northern Corea, etc. And there were also the Notorious Issues concerning certaon Latin American Countries as Argentina, etc., (See Infra).

 - "It's quite Complicated for us (UNO's CED), since there some provisions in the UN Convention according to which the Cases of the Past (i.e. Before its recent Entry into Force, on 2012) are Not Examined, per se", he replied, at first.

 - "Nevertheless, we consider that the Way that a State treats the Past, is an Issue of Today !", he positively stressed.

=> So, when we Examine their National Reports, during the Discussions, we can Raise also such Questions, concerning how they deal with the Past of such Issues, Nowadays, he explained, as far as the followed Practice is concerned.

 - "For the First Time, we had to deal with that on the occasion of Latin America Countries, who are Willing to do so. Because, f.ex., for Argentina this (UNO's Connvention Mechanism) would have No sense if everything Started only After 2012 !", he pointed out.

 - "We (UNO's CED) tried to do alike also with Spain, concerning the Civil War (of 1936), but it was Difficult. And this raises also Questions about How Long in the Past could be we go : F. ex., even Before a Country became UNO's Member ? and/or even Before UNO's Creation ?", etc.

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 + But, when it came to an even more Specific and Hard Problem, concerning a particular way of Material Evidence Destruction, things appeared even more Difficult :

 - "Eurofora" asked Prof. Decaux whether, according to his Long and World-wide Experience, he had found SImilar Problems Elsewhere, with a particularly Nasty Obstacle recently Denounced in Cyprus, which reportedly Hinders a lot the on-going Investigations on the Fate of the "Missing" People :

It concerns the Fact that, Astonishingly, in too Many Cases, (particularly at the Territories of Cyprus Occupied by Turkey's Army since the 1974 Military Invasion), the Remains of a Lot of "Missing" People are Not Intact, Nor Complete, but Often consisting in Bones Broken in Many Small Pieces, or Tiny Fractions of Pieces, which, in Addition, are, in several cases, ... Dispersed throughout various Different Locations ! It's the Infamous Problem of several "Re-Burrials", i.e. of all or Parts of Mass Graves which have, Curiously, been, Afterwards, Transferred Elsewhere, in an apparently Systematic way, with the Result to make even Identifications of the Victims very Difficult, Tricky, if not Impossible, and, a fortiori, Hinder to Find the Truth on what really Happened to them...

=> To the point that, on 2017, even the President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastassiades, was obliged to exceptionally Denounce openly such Strange Practices as "Criminal" !

>>> It was Surprizing for "Eurofora" to Find Today that even Professor Decaux, one among the Rare UN Experts to have a much Longer and Wider Experience than most others, on Issues concerning "Missing" People (Comp. Supra), initially Reacted with Spontaneous Astonishment, as if he had Never Seen such a Problem Before, Anywhere Else in the World...

He knew about cases where Criminals had tried to abuse of various "Acids", and/or to "Throw" the Bones of their Victims "to the Sea", in Lakes or Rivers, etc.  I.e. Methods of Proof Destruction which might be used in Isolated Cases of only 1 or a Few Victims, but, obviously, Not so much when it comes to Big "Mass Graves", as in the case of Cyprus, particularly since 1974.

On the Contrary, at least his first Reaction, when he heard about those Specific Problems, curiously met Several Times, by Investigations on Cyprus' "Missing" People, Professor Decaux acknowledged his Surprize, and was (exceptioally) Unable to mention clearly Other Similar Problems Elsewhere in the World !

- "Except, perhaps, in some cases in the Balkans ?", he Wondered, but withOut being able to even cite one, Neither to clearly and unequivocally confirm that now....

 => Proof that it's, indeed, a Rare Phenomenon ?

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The New President of UNO's CED, Miss Suela Janina, an Experienced Diplomat (who has served also in Brussels on EU issues) from Albania, even if she was initially Scheduled to be the 1st Keynote Speaker, immediatly after the Introductions, nevertheless, curiously went ...Missing, (fortunately only for a Few Hours !), apparently having been Hindered by some Transport and/or other practical Problems, and, therefore, wasn't able to arrive at the CoE in Strasbourg but only very Later.

Thus, Because also of a Press "Black-Out" on the 2nd and 3rd Parts of that Exceptional International Conference, dealing with a particularly "Hot" and Delicate matter of some among the Worst Violations of Human Rights, (and Including, inter alia, also a Confidential Briefing on CoE's Committee of Ministers' on-going work for the Supervision of ECHR Judgements' Execution by the condemned Member States, which Traditionally takes place Behind Closed Doors), "Eurofora" and other Journalists were UnExpectedly Hindered to Interview her, (except from a Short, but Kindly Smiling, Salute when she Arrived, Running to Catch-up with the Time Lost by unknown reasons)...

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Cyprus' "Missing" People issues are Scheduled to be Examined by CoE's Committee of Ministers on June 2018, during the Supervision of ECHR Judgements' Implementation by States which have been Condemned for Violations, as, in this case, Turkey.

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Will the EU let Turkey's GunBoat Bullying against International Law Deprive it from the Only New and Growing Oil/Gas Findings in European Territory and/or Directly Linked to Europe and well beyond ?

Today's EU-27 Summit's Reply reads as a Crystal-clear "NO !" : 

>>> Europe wants to Protect Both its Natural Resources contained at its Member States' areas, as well as the relevant EU and International Legality, according to the Conclusions just presented by EU President (former Prime Minister of Poland) Donald Tusk :

-  The 27 EU Heads of State/Government slamed "Turkey's illegal Violations in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Aegean" Seas, which are "actions (that) Contradict Turkey's Commitment to Good Neighbourly Relations and their Normalisation with all (EU) Member States", as Tusk reminded, "Urgently Call(ing) on Turkey to Terminate those activities".

 - "All the EU (27) Leaders ... Express(ed) Solidarity with Cyprus and Greece", as well as "Reiterate(d) our Support for the Sovereign Right of the Republic of Cyprus to Explore and Exploit its Natural Resources", President Tusk addded in particular.

- This (Cyprus' Oil/Gas Drilling inside its EEZ) is done "in accordance with EU and International Law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea", EU Confirmed anew.

=> In Consequence, President Tusk Warned Ankara about relevant "Conditions" on "Hold(ing or not) the (EU) Leaders' Meeting with Turkey in Varna (Bulgaria, current EU Chairman) on 26 March". - "We (EU) are Ready to cooperate with Turkey" on "Assess(ing) Whether the(se) Conditions are there", (or not yet), "at our (EU's) March (22-23) European Council", (i.e. 3-4 Days Before).

Given the Fact tha Turkey's latest, provocative "Navtex" which ProLonged the Military Blockade of Cyprus EEZ's relevant Area, will Expire on March 10, in consequence, it leaves enough Time in order to Judge, on March 22-23, whether the European Ship's Drilling for Italy's ENI and France's TOTAL Companies, (which was Brutally Obstructed by 5 Turkish GunBoats until now) might, eventually, Proceed at least then, EU Officials explained to the Press, inter alia.

This includes also the Heavy Damages provoked to a Greek Ship, Brutally hit by a Turkish one, at the Aegean Sea, meanwhile.

But, it does Not seem to be No Real Change in View, to Judge by several Reactions from Turkey's Officials, who reportedly vowed to "Persist", and from Ankara's Cronies (many illegally Imported as Settlers) at the Occupied Territories of Cyprus, Controlled by the Turkish Army since the Military Invasion of 1974, who reportedly Claimed that Cyprus' Government would Not be able to Exploit its Natural Resources withOut previously obtaining also Their "Authorisation" (sic !)...

I.e., Not Satisfied by having, Already, illegally Usurpated, and still Abusively Exploiting until Now, the Family Homes and other Private Properties of Hundreds of Thousands of Greek Cypriot Refugee/Displaced People (+20% of the Total Population of the Country), Fleeing the 1974 Military Invasion by Ankara's Army, and, since then, illegally Hindering the Return of the Lawfull Owners, and their Access to - or Control of - their Belongings and Ancestral Land, still until Nowadays, (Despite a well esbalishd ECHR's case-Law, which has Repeatedy Condemned Turkey for such Massive Violations of Human Rights), Today they Seek Even to Deprive their Victims Also from their Elementary Right to Try, at least, to Explore and Exploit the eventual Natural Resources of that Part of the Island that was Left to them !

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=> Therefore, the Obvious Question, particularly in front of Ankara's Brutal Violence, is whether, and at what Level, EU will Really Press Turkey to Respect its Decisions and the International Law, in real Practice and Timely enough.

For this purpose, the 27 EU Heads of State/Government already pointed, Today, to an eventual Cancellation of the forthcoming EU - Turkey Summit, scheduled in Varna (Bulgaria) on March 26, by Warning that they would re-examine the existence or absence of certain "Conditions", during their Brussels' EU Summit, on March 22 - 23, as they Warned Turkey while Criticizing the recent Incidents in Cyprus' EEZ, (but also Other Turkish Military Provocations against Greece at the Aegean Sea), as we've already seen above.

+>>> But, In Fact, this Opposition, Nowadays, between "Cyprus' Energy versus Turkey's GunBoats", is a Timely Challenge for the Development of a real common European Defence policy asap., since it might be the Only Efficient Way to Ensure Turkey's Respect of such EU Decisions...

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Indeed, this EU 27 Heads of State/Government Summit in Brussels, Topically Focused on several Issues linked to Europe's forseable Future, was called, also by the Latest Events, to Reply also to that crucial now Question, which concerns, in fact, not just EU's Economy, but also its recently unfolding Defence policy.

EU Commission's vice-President in charge of Energy, Maros Cefcovic, had spoken to "Eurofora" in Brussels on 2017 about Good Prospects to find, around EU Member Cyprus, "a 2nd Norway", (See : ...), in reference to the Nothern Sea Oil/Gas Fields, discovered since the Late 1990'ies, but notoriously Declining since about 2010 (See Infra), so that this New, Probable European "Eldorado", at the South-Eastern Mediterranean Sea, appeared as a Unique and Timely Chance to Boost EU's Economy with fresh Energy sources Nowadays.

And this, indeed, looks, Now, very Probable, if not already certain, since Cyprus' December 2011 initial Findings at "Aphrodite" Gas Field, made shortly after Neighbouring Israel's own Findings at "Leviathan" Gas Field, nearby, on December 2010, were Followed by Neighbouring Egypt's Findings at "Zhor"'s adjacent Oil/Gas Fields also adjacent to Cyprus' EEZ on 2015, to which was Recently Added the "Calypso" New Gas Field in Cypus at the Beginning of 2018.

With the Participation, mainly of USA's "NOBLE ENERGY" Company (Texas) and Israel's "DELEK",, as well as Europe's "ENI", "TOTAL" and "SHELL", (Italy, France and the Netherlands), due to be Soon Followed also by USA's "EXXON-Mobil", as well as of South Korea's "KOGAS" (etc),  at another part of the Island, Soon, (see Infra).

Meanwhile, EU Commission had already started to Support these moves, particularly by Backing an ambitious UnderSea Pipeline ("East-MED"), due to Link the New Energy Findings, from Cyprus' EEZ Directly into EU's Industrial Center, via Greece and Italy. To this was Added also an undersea Electricity Cable Project ("Asia InterConnector" : Latest EU Decision taken on December 2017), able to include Electricity produced by Gas. As well as, in Parallel, possible NLG Ship Transports, also towards France's PACA Region, Spain, Croatia, etc., already equiped with NLG infrastructures. All these 3 possibilities of Energy Transport from EU Member Cyprus' surrounding area, are DIRECTLY Heading towards EU's Core, (withOut being obliged to previoulsy Criss-cross through any Foreign, Non European Country).  

So that the Experienced, and recently Re-Elected brillantly, President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastassiades, (a ChristianDemocrat/EPP), had Timely Announced, from the Beginning of this New Year 2018, that it was due to be Marked particularly by imminent Developments in the area of Energy.

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But, suddenly .. "Patatrak" : On February 2018 Turkey sends Five (5) WarShips to Block the Italian ENI's Drilling Ship SAIPEM's Access to its Destination :  plot Number 3, located inside Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, (the precise Delimitation of which has been already Agreed by Cyprus, officially, with all 3 Neighbouring Countries : Egypt, Israel and Lebanon, already between 2003 - 2010).

+ As Revealed afterwards also a Transcript published by a Turkish Newspaper, inter alia, a Crash between the Peaceful, Civilian Italian Drilling Ship and one of the 5 Turkish Military WarBoats which were Bullying around it, was Avoided only at the very Last Minute, when, (after the Turkish Warship insisted to Block the way of the Civilian Ship, heading right towards its scheduled course), it's the European Drilling Ship from Italy which was Obliged to make an U-Turn, in order to Avoid an otherwise Dramatic Collision, (UPDATED).

ENI Company's CEO protested, (in statements to the Press made at Neighbouring Egypt), that he was Surprized to see Turkey violently block an Area undeniably belonging to EU Member Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, but, initially, it was Decided to Keep the Drilling Ship at a Safe Distance, and Start various Diplomatic Moves at the European and International level, while also Waiting for the Expiration Date of a provocative Turkey's "Navtex" message, which Claimed to Block that Area until February 22, (i.e. the Eve of EU-27's Brussels Summit).

++ However, Despite open Criticism, inter alia, also by the Presidents of EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker himself (former Long-Time Prime Minister of Luxembourg) and his Spokeswoman, as well as of EU Parliament, Antonio Tajani (former Foreign Minister of Italy), etc., Turkey not only did Not Stop its Brutal Obstruction inside Cyprus' EEZ at its Southern Sea-Coasts, but even Decided to Extend Further its GunBoat act of Piracy, (provocatively Anouncing also that several Days Earlier than expected), going as far as even up to the Middle of ...Next Month (March 2018), while it was generaly Known that ENI's Drilling Ship had already assumed, earlier, a subsequent job at Morocco, and would be Obliged to Cancel, at least for the time being, its task in Cyprus, after having been Obliged to vainly wait for too long, (in Addition to the Fact that Each Day of Imposed Delay provoked also a Damage of about +400.000 € daily).

+++ Moreover, Turkey, meanwhile, had already issued so many and various such Controversial "Navtex" messages, that it, reportedly, Threatened to Block, at any moment, (under Hollow Pretexts of "Military Training", etc) a lot of Areas practically ...Surrounding All the Island of Cyprus (sic !), and even Most of its EEZ (See relevant MAP's Photo) !

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Ankara also Added a series of purely Political Pre-Conditions for almost All Cyprus' efforts to Develop its Oil/Gas Energy Sources, at any Moment, i.e. practically Excluding EU Member State Cyprus from its Sovereign Right to Freely Explore and Develop its Energy Resources located inside its own EEZ.

+ Even Despite the Fact that, on the Contrary, it's also USA's New President Don Trump's Administration which: - "Feels, very Strongly, that the Republic of Cyprus has the Right to Explore and Exploit its Resources in the EEZ", as his Ambassador, Cathleen Doherty, has just stressed, earlier this week at the Island.

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=> Meanwhile, shortly After also an "Eurofora"s communication with Experienced UN Secretary General's Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, in the Middle of these Events (See: ...), UNO has just Decided to send to Cyprus its new Deputy-Secretary General for "Peace-Keeping Operations", Jean-Pierre Lacroix, to visit the Island, (where UNO has also a special UNFICYP International Force at the Buffer Zone, between the areas controlled by the Turkey's Army and those still controlled by Cyprus' Republic), reportedly from the Beginning of Next Week, (i.e., practically, immediately after the current EU Summit in Brussels).

UNFICYP has Not yet been extended in Maritime areas, but, perhaps, something of that sort, might not be theoretically excluded in the Future totally, particularly when there are Brutal Threats to use Military Violence, as in this case (Comp. Supra, and See also Infra).

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++++ >>> Nevertheless, after that Failure of purely Diplomatic Reactions in a 1st Stage, the European Drilling Ship from Italy made also a Last-Minute Attempt to reach the Area for its Scheduled Peaceful Work, inside EU Member Cyprus' EEZ, the very Morning of the Day of EU's Summit in Brussels, on February 23rd, (NDLR : PARTLY UPDATED) :

=> So, all EU's 27 Heads of State/Government had Now an Occasion to ...Watch Together from Brussels, almost "LIVE", a desperate Attempt, by a Peaceful European Civilian Ship, to Try, at last, to reach the Scheduled Area for his Energy-Exploration Work, inside an EU Member State's Exclusive Economic Zone, but be Forced to Quit, by use of Military Violence and repeated Threats from 5 Turkey's WarShips !

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Indeed, that European Civilian Ship from Italy's ENI, after Heading Directly towards its Scheduled Area of Work, had to Face, right in Front of it, those "5 Turkey's GunBoats", which Blocked its course at least Twice, Finally Obliging it to Turn Back and go Away, after abusing of Military Violence, as a relevant Satellite-MAP, Tracing the Drilling Ships' Movements, clearly shows :

(Cypriot TV "SIGMA"'s ScreenShot on Italian Drilling Ship's Violent Obstruction by Turkish WarBoats)

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 - "You doN't have the Right, according to the Law of the Sea, and you have No Jurisdiction in this Area, in order to Hinder my way towards my Final Destination. Keep a Distance !", reportedly Warned the Captain of the European Civilian Drilling Ship.

- "If you Enter this area, we shall Take Measures Against you !", repeatedly Threatened the Armed Turkish Military GunBoats, as only "reply", revealing their Brutal Violent Behavior.

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>>> EU Lisbon Treaty's Article 42,7 ?
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It's in such Exceptional and Dangerous Circumstances, that the Government of EU Member State Cyprus, reportedly considered, Nowadays, the possibility to Trigger the exceptional Mechanism set up, for the 1st Time, by EU's Lisbon Treaty's Article 42, paragraph 7, (somewhat Inspired by the Earlier Example of France, which has already used that in order to help face f.ex. Armed Islamist Terrorist Mobs' Attacks against unarmed, Defenseless Civilian People, etc), in order to Face, Now, the Mob Attacks by Turkey's more Heavily Armed GunBoats and Warships against unarmed, Defenseless Civilian People and Boats, Peacefully seeking to do their Scheduled Work on Energy Exploration and Development for the General Interest of Europe :

- "If a Member State is the Victim of Armed Aggression on its Territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an Obligation of Aid and Assistance by all the means in their power", the current EU Treaty clearly says.

- This is done "in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter", which Recognizes "the inherent Right of .... Collective Self-Defence if an Armed Attack occurs against a Member of the UN".

+ But it also Points to "the Authority and Responsibility of the (UN) Security Council ...to take at any time such Action as it deems Necessary in order to Maintain or Restore International Peace and Security.”

Something which, naturally, canNot be Ignored  in this case, particularly in relation also with the forthcoming Visit to Cyprus by the new UN Deputy-Secretary General for "Peace-Keeping Operations", Jean-Pierre Lacroix, from Monday, (Comp. Supra).

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++ Meanwhile, Next Week it's also the first 2 Ships of American "EXXON-Mobil" Company (where notoriously worked almost during all his Life the current USA State Secretary, Rex Tillerson), which are due to Arrive to Cyprus, in order to Prepare the Beginning of their own Drillings in Search of Oil/Gas at the Block No 10, (adjacent to Egypt's "Zhor" Huge Gas Field), at the Autumn 2018.

The matter was reportedly Discussed between USA's Ambassador and Cyprus' President, and it was also Decided that those 2 Energy-searching Ships would be Escorted, for Security reasons, also by the American (Military) Navy !

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 => In this Context, the Natural Question which obviously Flows from all that, is whether the EU will send also a "European Navy" to Protect European Civilian Ships searching to Find and/or Develop New Oil/Gas Resources around EU Member State Cyprus, (i.e. basically inside EU's Territory).

+ Cyprus, which Hosts also 2 Important UK Military Bases, has Already Hosted the European/International Peace-Keeping Fleet for the TransBorder area Between Lebanon and Israel, under a UN Mandate (Negotiated by former French President Jacques Chirac) since 2006, as well as several Bilateral Agreements on Naval Forces' Logistical Help, and/or Cooperations, (f.ex., inter alia, also with Russia, France, etc).

Germany was Leading the Military Navy component of that UN-sponsored Interational Peace-Keeping Operation for Lebanon's Coasts, (while , Hosted in Cyprus' Naval Bases, where Chancellor Angie Merkel had Visited, later-on.

+ And it's mainly the Need to Protect important Energy Transports by Ships, (particularly of LNG), which has notoriously Motivated one among the First Cooperations among Willing EU Member Countries in the domain of Defence, when, since Back on 2008, EU set up its "Atalante" Naval Force for the Fight against Piracy, particularly around the Somalian Sea Coasts, in order to Safeguard Cargo Ships crossing the Suez Channel, right in front of the Strategic European Island of Cyprus...

+ In Addition, Recently, at least 2 Key European Ministers of Defence, from France and Italy, Exceptionally Visited Cyprus, during the Summer of 2017, (in parallel to a French Military Fregate's Arrival at the Island, then, and anOther one, Recently on 2018), just Before the New Oil-Gas Exploraton Drillings start, for ENI and TOTAL Energy Companies.

+ These Moves had, Significantly, Started soon After "Eurofora" had met with New French President Emmanuel Macron, at the sidelines of the "G-20" Summit in Hamburg (Germany) on July 2017, where he Agreed on the Importance and the Need to Protect the Exploration and Development of Oil/Gas Resources at EU Member Cyprus and its surroundings (i.e. Israel, Egypt, etc) for Direct Energy Transports towards Europe's Industrial core, (See : .....).

Macron had Already told us, (as Early as since he was a Minister of Economy, Back on 2015 in Strasbourg, just Before Travelling to Israel then), that he Believed that the Recent Findings of Growing Oil/Gas Resources in Cyprus, Egypt and Israel, added to their Plans for Joint Energy Transports directly to Europe's core (including by EU Commission-supported "East-MED" Pipeline project) represented "a Real Chance", (See: ...).

+ So that when Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades was Pictured by "Eurofora" a.o. smiling, Together with French President Macron and/or Greek Prime Minister Tsipras, etc., at the Center of a Group of 25 EU Member Countries which Decided recently to Launch Together a "Permanent European Structured Cooperation" (PESCO) on Defence policy, (where Cyprus participated for the 1st Time in History), during the Latest EU Summit in Brussels, on December 2017, (See "Eurofora"s Photos from the spot at : .... + ..., etc), that move wasn't, no more, really a Surprise, but, on the Contrary, totally Natural.

+ ToNight, on February 2018, the EU27 Summit in Brussels, announced the Willingness of EU Countries' Heads of State/Government to "Augment" EU's Budget in the foreseable Future, particularly on Europe's "External Borders' control", as well as "on Defence" policy.

+ Among the 17 concrete Defence Projects, already earmarked since the December 2017 EU Summit's PESCO Event in order to be Funded by the EU as a matter of Priority, (Comp. Supra), at least 3 concern, specifically, "Maritime" Areas, against only 1 conceived mainly in order to be used on Land, (and, even that, includes also an "Amphibious" Vehicle) : I.e. a Ratio of more than 3 to 1, between Sea and Land, in concrete terms...

+ And, by a Symbolic "Coincidence", Astonishingly, the 1st Victory in the History of European Armies (where Many European Countries had actively participated, as Italy, Spain, France, etc), was, precisely in a ...Naval Battle : That of Lepanto, on 1571, where United European Fleets succeeded, for the 1st Time, to Win against Ottoman Turk Warships, practically Liberating the Mediterranean Sea from previous Threats of Turkish Aggressions in the Future. The Next Victories of European Armies, (including, Later-on, also Polish, English, German and even Russian People), Followed, this time, on Solid Ground, during almost the Same Century : on 1683 and 1689, when they succeeded to Defend Vienna (Austria) and Liberate all BudaPest (Hungary) from Ottoman-Turk Military Invasion and Occupation, from which, Europe's Land was Definitively, almost Entirely Liberated, after a Series of such Victories, on 1919, with the Treaty of Sevres (France).

Even More : That 1st European Army's Victory in History, in Lepanto's Naval Battle of 1571, had been Motivated by the Will to Strongly React against a Massacre, committed by Ottoman Turks in ... Cyprus, where they had just Aggressed and Killed the ...Italian (from Venice) Defenders of Famagusta, (in Violation of a Previous Agreement to, at least, Spare their Lives) :  I.e., (by another Astonishing Coincidence), Near the Area where, Today (on 2018), 5 Turkish Military GunBoats Brutaly Aggressed a Peaceful Italian Drilling Ship inside Cyprus' EEZ, (Comp. Supra)...

So that, all these Converging Facts, clearly indicate that the Strategic Island of Cyprus, (the Only one to be Located at the CrossRoads of 3 Continents), has, throughout History, at least an exceptional Symbolic Value and practical Stimulus, for an Efficient Development of European Unity and Defence Policy.

=> A Fortiori Nowadays, when Europe's Natural Resources in much needed Energy are notoriously Declining at their Older Location in the Northern Sea, but, on the Conntrary ...Growing Fast in the South-Eastern Mediterranean Sea, around EU Member Cyprus, together with Israel, Egypt, etc, (See Infra)

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EU's OLD NORTH SEA RESOURCS DECLINING
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North Sea Oil+Gas production had been Booming at the Late 1990ies, but Fell Down already on 2014+, (with some Exceptions only in Norwegian Gas) : F.ex., on Late 1990 UK and Norway represented about 9% of World Oil output, But on 2014 only 3%.

Thus, on 2015, the British Government was Obliged to concede Exceptionaly Big Tax Cuts in the Hope to convince some Companies to use Oil/Gas-Fields remaining idle since 2008, amidst a growing number of Lost Jobs there.

However, on 2016, "Decommissioning of offshore platforms and the accompanying Bills were looming on a Scale Not seen Before, anywhere in the World",

Already since f.ex. 2016, about 50 North Sea Oil/GasFields were reportedly ready to Stop Production, and UK alone expected that 140 more might be Shut down during the Next 5 Years, (2017-2022).
Major Oil/Gas Companies have already Started to Sell their assets in the North Sea, as, f.ex. BP and Shell on 2017, etc.

Royal Dutch Shell surfaced Recently its Interest to use its Liquefaction off shore facilities between Egypt (which might receive also Energy from Israel), and Cyprus (evetually Starting by its "Aphrodite" block 1st Findings by USA's "Noble Energy", Israel's Delek, and Netherlands' Shell), also for Shipping NLG Directly towards EU's Center.    

           
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NEW S/E MEDITERRANEAN RESOURCES

AROUND EU MEMBER CYPRUS = BOOMING
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Contrary to the Declining North Sea Oil/Gas Fields Timeline (Comp. Supra), the Findings in Cyprus and its Neighbouring Countries : Israel and Egypt, are clearly much more Recent : Between 2010 - 2018.

- "Leviathan" GasField in Israel was announced on December 2010, (after what, the Israelu Prime Minister, Netanyahu, immediately visited Cyprus on 2011), "Aphrodite" Gas Field was announced on December 2011 in Cyprus, Followed now by that of "Kalypso" at the Beginning of 2018, while, meanwhile,  that of Egypt's "Zhor" was Discovered on 2015.              

- Earlier this Week (2/2018), "Bloomberg" reported that, according to the American Geological Research Institute, the Off Shore, UnderSea Energy Resources around Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt, could ByPass the 340 Trillions of Cubic Feet in Natural Gas, i.e. much More than All USA's equivalent deposits.

Nowadays, those Countries are examining various Scenarios for Exports, "Bloomberg" noted on February 20, 2018.

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In Fact, Turkey's suddenly Brutal and Violent, illegal Aggression on a European Drilling Ship from Italy inside Cyprus' EEZ, (which had Not been Contested, not even by Ankara before, as ENI's CEO observed, astonished), seems, indeed, much more Motivated by a desperate, against the current, Attempt by Ankara's regime to Undermine the Recent Collective Plans for several Ways to Establish DIRECT Energy Transports to Europe's core, from the area around EU Member Cyprus, (which have been Discussed and Endorsed by most Heads of State/Government of the concerned Countries, including between Cyprus, Israel and Greece, as well as Egypt, etc, certain even by EU Commission itself).

That's why Turkey didn't start to openly abuse of illegal Violence but only when European Italian and French Companies ENI and TOTAL recently Discovered also a New Oil/Gas Field in "Kalypso" area of Cyprus' EEZ, officially announced Earlier this Month, on February 2018, and were Going to Search for even More :

- Simply Because of the Fact that the Economic Sustainability of a DIRECT Energy Transport Link to Europe's core (f.ex. a partly UnderSea Pipeline, and/or a Cable Connexion transmitting Electricity produced from Gas, LNG Liquefaction infrastructures for Modern Ship Transport, et), reportedly Needed a Significant Amount of Energy Findings inside Cyprus' EEZ, to be Confirmed asap.

=> Therefore, by abusing of illegal Violence in an Attempt to Delay, if not even Obstruct, More Energy Findings in Cyprus' EEZ now, Turkey, most probably, seeks to Undermine and/or Popstpone the Profitability of such Direct European Energy Transport Plans from the New, and recently Growing Natural Resources of the Souhth-East Mediterranean area, in an Attempt to Impose, instead, a Zig-Zag Pipeline through the intermediary of a 3rd Foreign, Non-European Country's Turkish Anatolia Plateau in Asia Minor, with Notorious Risks of exceptionaly Dangerous Earthquakes, various Brutal Conflicts, Turkey's Financial Claims and/or its usual Political Blackmails, etc...       

 
F.ex., British Medias had already pointed out, since 2014, that for a Profitable NLG Plan Cyprus Needed to Find more than 6 TCF (Trillions of Cubic Feet) in Gas. It was Not sure that the 1st Finding, that of "Aphrodite", might really have Enough Gas for that.

Therefore, it's Only After ENI/TOTAL, recently Discovered also a 2nd Gas Field, "Calypso", announced only at the Beginning of 2018, while ENI's Drilling Ship, immediately Headed towards Drilling, in Addition, to anOther, 3rd Promising Area, (there where, Suddenly, Turkey's GunBoat Piracy rushed to illegaly Obstruct that), that the Required Threshhold of Gas Volume  for Building a Profitable NLG PLant would have, most Probably, been largely Reached.

=> Such Facts clearly Show, also, that Ankara's Hollow Pretext for Brutally Blocking NOW the European Search of more Energy in Cyprus on February 2018, (i.e. a controversial Claim that the Cyprus' Government should, previously, ask for a kind of ...Authorisation also from the Occupied Territories of the Island, illegaly Controlled by Turkey's Military, since the 1974 Invasion), is Totaly Hypocritical !

Indeed, not only such a Strange and UnJust (Comp. Supra), if not even Scandalous, Pre-Condition does Not Exist Legally, while, in Addition, Cyprus' President Anastasiades has Already Tabled a Legislative Bill in the Parliament, for the Creation of a Fund due to Manage all eventual Revenues from Energy in the Future, in a way Similar to "Norway's Modem", which would be Beneficial to All Cypriots, (Greek and Turkish, etc), but, Moreover :  - It's Obvious, that, IF Ankara Really Wished to Block Energy Searches for the Sake of what it calls "Turkish Cypriot Community",  (in Fact including, Nowadays, also Many illegal Turkish Settlers Massively Imported from Anatolia Plateau, as well as an illegal Occupation Regime notoriously set up and Sustained -Both Economically and Militarilly, as well as Politically - by Turkey's Invasion Army and its Cronies), then, it would have Already Blocked those Energy Searched, a Long Time Ago in the Past, or would have done so at Any Other Time in the Future, instead of Waiting Only Until the Above-Mentioned "Profitability" Threshhold was Reached for Independent Energy Transports from Cyprus' Area Directly to Europe's core, and, Precisely and Only then, Suddenly start to Brutally Block, with illegal GunBoats' Violence, immediately, (Neither Before, Nor After)... These supplementary Facts clearly show that what is Realy at Stake, appears to be something quite Cynical.             

                    
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Thus, if purely Diplomatic Means Fail again vis a vis Turkey's brutal GunBoats' Bullying, (Comp. Supra), then, History will have anew taught, Both in the Past, (See, f.ex., "Lepanto"-related events, Supra, etc), and Nowadays, (i.e. on February - March 2018, until the Next EU Summit), that the most Efficient (if not even Unique Possible) way to Both Guarantee Peace and Security, as well as Economic Development in Europe, is to Strongly Protect EU's External Borders against Violent Aggressions, by a Dissuasive European Defence and/or International (f.ex. UNO's UNFICYP : Comp. Supra) Peace-Keeping operation, Able to Guarantee that the Promising and Fast-Growing Natural Energy Resources in EU Member Cyprus, Together with its Willing Neighbouring Countries of Israel and/or Egypt, (with which Nicosia is notoriously in Close Cooperation on that matter), will be Freely and Safely Explored and/or Developed further, withOut any Violent Hindrance of those Countries' repeatedly Expressed Will to Help Organize DIRECT Energy Transports towards Europe's core, and Elsewhere in the World, (f.ex. USA, eventually China, etc).

Facts clearly show, until Now, that any Abuse of "Piracy"s Brutal methods, as Turkey just did twice, in blatant Violation of EU and International Law, should be Strongly Dissuaded, if necessary, also with sufficient and convincing Deterrant Force, Able to Convince the Turkish regime to Drop illegal Violence and follow a Peaceful way to debate issues and seek solutions.

 EU Countries have managed, Already since 2008, to set up a Pioneer and Efficient Joint Defence Operation (nick-named "Atalanta") in order to Succesfully Fight against "Piracy" around Somalian Coasts, as far as between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

The move was made, mainly, in order to Saveguard Ship Transports, particularly of Oil/Gas, through the Strategic Suez Channel, which crosses Egypt and Faces Cyprus. And Recent EU Statistics reveal that they Really Curbed and almost Suppressed Pirate Attacks, sufficiently well.

=> Since EU did so against Somalian Coasts' "Pirates" illegaly Attacking Energy Transport Ships so Far Away from Europe, why it shouldn't, then, Nowadays, do something Equivalent, also vis a vis Turkey's GunBoats' illegal and Violent Bullying and Threats around EU Member State Cyprus, which notoriously Cooperates closely with its Neighbouring Countries Israel, Egypt, etc, at a South-Eastern Mediterranean area where New Oil/Gas Findings are recently Booming Fast (Comp. Supra), Together with various Plans for Direct Energy Transports to Europe's core ?

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- It looked like a Fairy Tale ! However, the Reality is More Complex, but, anyway, Interesting...

 A Series of recent Statistics on European AudioVisual creations, published these Days by CoE's PanEuropean AV Observatory (EAVO)'s Experts in Strasbourg, at First Sight, Boom by Optimism :

- F.ex.: There was a Strong Growth of Film Production in Europe, during recent years ! European Co-Productions generated 3 Times More Cinema Admissions ! And European Films Released in Foreign Countries had Grown by +8,5% ! Etc...

It's not inaccurate. But it's not all...

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- Indeed, "Overall Production in Europe" was "Growing by + 47%", jumping from 1.444 feauture Films in 2007, up to 2124 in 2016.

However, it's mainly "Documentaries" which "Boomed, almost Doubling" (X 200 %) "to 698 Films in 2016". While "production of Feature Fiction" rose just for 1/3  ( X 33 %), which is not bad.

And among the 36 Countries that EAVO covers, it's "the Top 5 producing" which accounted for an absolute Majority : "53,6% of overall Production", (UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy).

On the Contrary, "18 Countries produced Fewer than the average" (25 Films a Year), and 5 Countries' production "Declined", (even among the "Top" : f.ex. the UK, followed by Belgium, etc).

But it's also true that other "10 Countries more than Doubled their production volume", while "the Fastest Growth" was "Mostly .. located in Eastern Europe".

F.ex., Russia comes 6th, just After the "Top 5" (Comp. Supra), with more than 1.000 Films. To Note also Spain's Recent Growth, particularly on Documentaries. (While, on the Contrary, UK recently Lost the 1st Place)

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- European Co-Productions, indeed, generated "3 Times More Admissions" to Cinemas, "than purely National Films" : I.e., with 24,2% of the Total Production, they got 50,3% of Admissions, (with the UK sky-rocketing).

But, if the Particular case of UK's "GB inc." Companies is Excluded, (since they may have a Majority of Capital, or even All of it, coming from Abroad, resulting, in Fact, f.ex, in a ...American-American Production !), then, the above-mentioned Ration of 3 : 1, is Lowered to just 5 : 3, (and the relevant Percentage Diminishes from 317% Down to 171%).

=> Then, France comes First, followed by Germany and Spain, (while even the Czech Republic outnumbers the UK !)...

However, Co-Productions are Not used so much for Documentaries, (which are the Fastest-Growing AudioVisual products and stay predominantly National : Comp. Supra), but Mainly for Fiction features.
And, concerning Co-Productions with Foreign (Extra-European) Countries, it's Russia which Leads from the European continent, (bypassed only by the Particular case of the UK : Comp. Supra, and Followed by Spain and Portugal).

Last, but not least : Even inside Europe, Russia, which has a Comparatively Low Number of European Co-Productions, nevertheless, appears Interesting in practice, since it's almost the Only one to ...Always Fund the Majority of the Co-Production Costs !

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- As for the "Circulation of European Films Outside Europe", Indeed, the Number of those Released in Foreign Countries regularly Grows, from 2012 up to 2016, Jumbing from 509 Up to 650 Films per Year.

But, it's also a Fact that, on the Contrary, the Admissions in Cinemas, for these Films, Curiously ... Fall Down, from 131 Millions to Only 108 or even 82 Millions (between 2012 - 2015/2016) !

 Nevertheless, an Astonishingly Small Part of European Films Released in Foreign Countries (just 9%) has Managed to Attract ..90% of the Total of Admissions ! I.e. showing that Success on Europe's AV Exports is possible, but may depend also on Focusing on certain Key Products...

However, it's also True that these Numbers do Not take into Account the "VOD", on-line and Other Kinds of Releasing Audio-Visual products, (reportedly because there is Not yet a sufficient "Transparency" of those New and Booming ways of Distributing Films Worldwide, Nowadays).

So, as things stand, it's obviously the Uk which came recently First in Admissions of "European" Films Outside of Europe, Followed by France and Russia, (Comp. Supra).

As for the Markets where those Admissions take place, naturally USA comes First, closely followed by China, and, in a Distance, by Mexico, further away : Australia and South Korea, etc.

Among the Smaller Markets, just don't look for Countries as Turkey : Because there, Exceptionally, a large Absolute Majority of Films are simply ...Turkish ! Contrary to Most Other Countries in the World, where the Majority of Films released and seen come from Elsewhere.

On the Contrary, in the Pan-European area, the Russian Market for Films is seriously Growing Nowadays, according to CoE's Audio-Visual Observatory.

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In other words, as the Number 1, Top Selling Abroad, European Film Co-Production indicates, (Picturing a ..."Cat" with "Nine Lives" : See relevant PHOTO), Fairy Tales or not (Comp. Supra), at least one thing seems clear : At any case, the European AudioVisual works have ... Many Lives !...

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- The UN are Aware, Interested and carefully Following the Latest Developments on Turkey's GunBoat Bullying against EU Countries' efforts to Develop recent Oil/Gas Findings in EU Member State Cyprus' EEZone, (including EU-supported Plans for Direct Energy Transports to Europe's Center, probably in Cooperation with Israel's and/or Egypt's adjacent Off Shore Findings), and will Discuss, Starting already from this Evening, what should be done Now after the Decision made Today by Turkey to provocatively Extend even Further its Military Blockade, (with 5 WarShips against a Peaceful Drilling Ship), which risks to have Snowball effects in a Delicate Region at a Crucial Moment, instead of Working for International Law and Peace, the enDangering of which, as a matter of General Principle, could Not let the International Organisation indifferent and/or completely "Out" of the game.

That's what Results, in Substance, from a Brief but Topical and Interesting Phone Conversation with the Experienced, Long-Time UNO's Secretary General's Press Spokesman, Stephan Dujarric, and "Eurofora", on that "Hot" Issue, made while various Intense Political, Diplomatic and other Exceptional Top Contacts were going on in and around Cyprus, at the Eve of EU Heads of State/Government's Summit, later this week in Brussels, where that Topical Issue, of obvious General European Interest, (even Global, given the Estimated Total Volume of Gas Resources in that Area), will be raised.

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UNOSG's Press Spokesman immediately indicated to "Eurofora" that he was, indeed, Aware of the Recent, and still on-going Incident of 5 Turkish Military Boats Blocking an Italian ENI Company Oil/Gas off shore Exploration Ship (also for the French TOTAL Company) from reaching, as scheduled, its destination inside Cyprus' EEZ.

"Eurofora" reminded the Fact that the directly involved EU Countries reportedly Waited for the Date of February 22, when Turkey's relevant anouncement was Expriring, in order to proceed, even with Delay, to their scheduled Work.

But, Suddenly, an Earlier than Expected, New Anouncement made by the Turkish Government, on the Contrary, Threatened to Extend even Further its GunBoat Military Bullying against the European Countries' Peaceful efforts for Direct Energy supplies at their own Territories, by Issuing even anOther, even more Provocative "Navtex" message, Asking to Block the all the Area concerned up to Mid-March, (i.e. , notoriously Too Late for ENI's Exploration Ship, which reportedly had to go soon to Morocco for another scheduled job).

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=> Therefore, Cyprus and Greece, as well as others, were Now preparing Fast Diplomatic a.o. Moves, in order to Face the latest Turkish Violent Blockade inside EU's Area (as also ENI's CEO has just Reminded, in Press Statements made Earlier in neighbouring Egypt). Among others, f.ex., this could be raised at the imminent EU Summit in Brussels, later this same Week, and EU States might, inter alia, even Block any Turkey's dealing with the EU, as a Political Response to Ankara's GunBoat Miilitary Threats.

However, such a Series of Events, might, at least in the Short term, make Turkey even more Nasty, in a Critical Moment at a Sensitive Region of the World, and, according to the Turkish Reactions, eventually have "SnowBall" repercussions also at a Wider area, Dangerous for Stability and Peace.

Sine the UNO had a Traditional Mission to try to work always for Respect of International Law and Peace, while, in Addition, the New Secretary General, Antonio Guttierez, had notoriously Focused, already since his recent Election, on the Key Role of Peace-Making instead of Conflicts Nowadays, wasn't there something that the UN could do, in order to Prevent a probable "SnowBall" effect of Turkey's GunBoat bullying against European Countries, like Italy, France and Cyprus, Peacefully working to Develop their own Energy Resources, which, in this case, were notoriously Linked also to Neighbouring Israel and Egypt, whose adjacebnt Oil/Gas deposits were probably linked, and with whom Cyprus cooperated, including for EU-Supported Plans for Direct Energy Transport to Europe's Center ?

Cyprus' President, Nicos Anastasiades, had just Won the Elections at the island, with a Program in favour of Advancing further in New Efforts for a Peaceful ReUnification of the Country, with an Agreed Solution of Cyprus' Problem, through Talks under UNO's auspices, but Ankara's Gun-point Bullying obviously Risks to Push such Prospects far Away.

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- In Reply, Dujarric immediately said that he was "going to Speak to some People ToNight" on that issue, but Advised to try to get back to it with him, "Tomorrow Morning".

 - He didn't Deny that, as a matter of Principle, "the UN canNot stay completely Out of such Issues", as "Eurofora" queried.

- "No, No !", spontanesouly reacted in agreement the Experienced UN SG's Press Spokesman.

- But, in fact, "I canNot Talk withOut, previously, Speaking to some People", he carefully explained.

 - For that purpose, he Significantly pointed "UpStairs", (i.e. at UNO Headquarters' Upper Floors for the Secretary General and his Senior Officers' team).

 - And he added that he Needed to "Know More" on that concrete matter, (before, eventually, making a full and Pubic Press Reply to "Eurofora"'s Topical Question).

- This included, further, "Checking with other People, also in Cyprus", as he went on to say.

- Anyway, "I appreciate that you called", Kindly added UNO SG's Press Spokesman for Tonight.

(See also : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/turkicharmyblockseudirectenergymoveincypurs.html)

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Meanwhile, Turkey is reportedly threatening, inter alia also with a series of provocative "Navtex", to ...Surround almost All Cyprus' Island with Military-Reserved Areas, Exclusively for its WarShips, even clearly inside EU Member State Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, almost everywhere, (See relevant MAP)...

(../...)

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