The US Ambassador to Nicosia Kathleen Doherty has affirmed Washington’s position that Cyprus has every right to develop hydrocarbon reserves in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).



After meeting with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on Wednesday, Doherty said: “I relayed to the President that the United States feels very strongly that the Republic of Cyprus has the right to explore and exploit its resources in the exclusive economic zone.”



Washington is following events in the Eastern Mediterranean and is also engaging in these events, Doherty said, while expressing the hope that the ongoing problems will be resolved so that talks for the islands reunification can resume.



Turkish warships have blocked a rig from reaching a target inside Cyprus's EEZ where Italian company Eni is scheduled to conduct exploratory drilling.