The EU has increased pressure on Turkey by approving sanctions over Ankara drilling for gas in water around Cyprus.
But Turkey says curbing contact or funding by the EU would not stop the search for oil and gas off the coast claimed by Cyprus, a member of the bloc.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the move “showed how biased and partisan the EU is on the subject of Cyprus”.
“The decisions will not affect in the slightest our country’s determination to continue hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the ministry said.
Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, last week said his country would increase drilling off Cyprus if the EU went ahead with sanctions.
The EU ministers said that because of Turkey’s “continued and new illegal drilling activities”, it was suspending talks on an air transport agreement and would call on the European Investment Bank to review its loans to Ankara.
Two Turkish vessels escorted by warships are drilling for gas at either end of divided Cyprus.
Turkey does not recognise Cyprus as a state and claims 44 per cent of the island’s exclusive economic zone as its own.
Ankara also backs the breakaway northern Turkish-Cypriot half of the island, which claims a further 25 per cent of Cyprus’s economic area.
Cyprus was split along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.
A Turkish-Cypriot declaration of independence is recognised only by Turkey, which keeps more than 35,000 troops in the north.
Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 but only the internationally recognised south enjoys full membership benefits.
Turkey says it is protecting its rights to the area's hydrocarbon deposits, and those of Turkish Cypriots.
But Cypriot officials accuse Ankara of using the minority Turkish Cypriots to exert control over the eastern Mediterranean region.
The EU ministers repeated the “serious, immediate negative impact” that Turkey’s illegal actions are having on bilateral relations and called on Ankara to respect Cyprus’s sovereign rights in line with international law.
The Cypriot government says it will take legal action against any oil and gas companies supporting Turkish vessels in any attempt to drill for gas.
Cyprus has already issued about 20 international arrest warrants against three international companies assisting one of the two Turkish vessels now drilling 68 kilometres off the island’s west.
The Cyprus government has licensed energy companies including Exxon Mobil, France’s Total and Italy’s Eni to carry out gas drilling in blocks off the island’s southern coastline.
At least three significant gas deposits have been found so far.
Meanwhile, Cyprus’s Greek-Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades will chair a meeting of political leaders on Tuesday to discuss a renewed proposal by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci for a joint committee on managing offshore gas drilling.
Mr Akinci has repeatedly called for such a committee, which he says would give his community a say in how newly found gas deposits off Cyprus’s southern coast are managed and future proceeds shared.
A similar proposal was made by his predecessor, Dervis Eroglu, in 2011.
The Cypriot government says energy discussions with Turkish Cypriots should be part of overarching reunification talks, and that Turkish-Cypriot rights to energy reserves are assured.
The government says future gas proceeds will flow into an established hydrocarbons fund that will be shared equitably after a peace deal is signed.
The latest EU move comes as ties between Turkey and the US are strained after Ankara bought Russian S-400 missile defence systems.
The US is concerned that a Nato partner’s purchase of Russian systems could give Moscow a back door into the alliance’s defences, particularly its trillion-dollar F-35 stealth fighter jet programme.
The US is considering sanctions and other measures days after the first delivery of S-400 parts arrived in Turkey.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
