Reuters: Cyprus says no talks while Turkish ships mount a challenge on gas

Cyprus's president vowed on Monday to stay away from peace talks with Turkey as long as Turkish ships remained off the island, threatening its right to explore for natural gas offshore.

Turkey, which supports a breakaway state in northern Cyprus, dispatched a research vessel to the south of the island late last year while companies commissioned by the internationally recognised government explored offshore.

"My participation in a dialogue for a solution to the Cyprus problem is not possible for as long as the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus are being violated," Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said in a written statement.

Anastasiades, who leads a Greek Cypriot government, pulled out of peace talks in October, viewing the presence of the research ship as a challenge to Cyprus's offshore rights.
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