Cyprus threatens to block Turkey's EU bid

Cyprus threatens to block Turkey's EU bid

Cyprus, a European Union member, has already given a number of companies the right to search for gas in these waters.

Cyprus government spokesman Nikos Christodoulides said President Nikos Anastasiades will lodge a formal complaint against Turkey at a meeting of European Union leaders this week.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 along ethnic lines after Turkey invaded the northern part of the Mediterranean island, which, in turn, followed after a coup staged by supporters of a union with Greece.

Turkey is the only country that recognizes the Turkish state in northern Cyprus. Turkey at the same time does not recognize Cyprus as a state and opposes its search for gas in the contentious area.

Anastasiades this month suspended negotiations on unification of the Turkish and internationally recognized southern part of the island after Turkey announced its own exploration of the Cyprus offshore.

The latest measures followed as a Turkish survey ship escorted by Turkish warships entered the waters near the southern part of Cyprus.