Delphyne-1 Target Results in Block 10 of Cyprus Very Encouraging Sigmalive TV reports - SIGMA LIVE / TEKMOR MONITOR

10 January 2019 22:44

Cyprus' Sigmalive TV while covering Manfred Weber's, European People’s Party's (EPP) candidate for EU Commission's President, visit in Cyprus reported on a conversation between an unnamed high level Cypriot official and Wess Mitchell, US Assistant Secretary of State. Presumably ExxonMobil is extremely happy with the results from the drilling at the Delphyne-1 Target in Block 10. The Stena Icemax drill which has relocated to the Glaucus-1 Target will return in about a month to carry out additional drillings at Delphyne-1 in order to confirm the find's size and announce results. 

Wess Mitchell sends clear message to Turkey over Cyprus - KATHIMERINI

21.12.2018 : 16:00

VASSILIS NEDOS

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell sent a clear message to Ankara not to obstruct drilling for hydrocarbons that is under way in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), while hailing Greece as a “fantastic ally” to the United States in the region, in an exclusive interview with Kathimerini’s Sunday edition.

Mitchell said Turkey's view on Cyprus's EEZ is “a minority of one versus the rest of the world,” as international law stipulates that the island nation can use its resources in an equitable way.

Speaking to Kathimerini a day after the inaugural session of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue in Washington, he said the US regards Greece, Cyprus and Israel as natural allies in the Eastern Mediterranean and described Greece as a “one of the most military capable allies.”

As for the contentious Prespes name deal between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mitchell said Washington supports the accord, noting that its enforcement could increase Greece’s economically dominant role in the Balkans.

Turkish airspace violations in Aegean seen as response to Mitchell comments - KATHIMERINI

TUESDAY DECEMBER 18, 2018, 11:56

VASSILIS NEDOS

Turkish fighter jets embarked on a barrage of airspace violations in the Aegean on Monday, in what was seen by Athens as a response to remarks on Friday by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell, who hailed Greece as a “fantastic ally” in the region and backed Cyprus’s gas exploration rights.

Specifically, 15 armed Turkish fighter jets conducted 107 violations in the northeast, southeast and central Aegean, as well as two overflights over the islets of Anthropofagos and Makronisi in the eastern Aegean early Monday afternoon.

They also engaged in four mock dogfights with Greek jets, according to the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA).

Military officials said the extent of the violations are comparable to those Ankara conducted in January 2017 when Defense Minister Panos Kammenos threw wreaths from a helicopter into the sea near the islet of Imia in the eastern Aegean to commemorate the death of three Greek servicemen who died in a helicopter crash at the height of a crisis between the two countries in 1996.

US official sends clear message to Turkey over Cyprus drilling - KATHIMERINI

16.12.2018 : 14:21

VASSILIS NEDOS

In an exclusive interview with Kathimerini’s Sunday edition, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell has sent a clear message to Ankara not to obstruct drilling for hydrocarbons that is under way in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), while hailing Greece as a “fantastic ally” to the United States in the region.

Speaking in Washington on Friday, a day after the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, President Donald Trump’s key official on Greek-Turkish affairs and the Eastern Mediterranean said the US regards Greece, as well as Cyprus and Israel, as important allies in the region.

“Greece, Cyprus and Israel are very important countries for the US because they are stable, democratic, western allies in a region where you don’t find a lot of stable, democratic partners,” Mitchell said, adding that it was a “natural step” for the US to deepen its cooperation with all three countries.

He cited energy security and diversification as key goals, as well as keeping a check on “Iranian efforts to open a window for the Mediterranean through Syria.”

He also underlined that Cyprus has the right to develop its resources. “Our line has been consistent. Cyprus is a sovereign country and just like any other sovereign country it has resources and can develop those resources,” Mitchell said.

US and Cyprus sign deal on security cooperation - KATHIMERINI

07.NOV.2018 : 11:04

Cyprus and the United States have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the area of security, according to a statement by the Cyprus Foreign Ministry, which said that the two sides have signed a Statement of Intent on security issues.

The agreement refers to issues relating to combating terrorism, strengthening security at sea and borders and promoting regional stability.

This comes as Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides visited Washington for a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday (Video).

Christodoulides also met with Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis Fannon.

In statements after the meetings at the State Department, Christodoulides said the discussions with the two officials concentrated on three issues.

“First, our bilateral relations and the mutual desire to strengthen bilateral relations at all levels. The statement of intent was signed within this framework, as it sets the outline of cooperation and how we should proceed next,” the minister said.

Energy on the agenda of US official’s visit to Cyprus - CYPRUS MAIL

March 12, 2018

Annette Chrysostomou

The US chief diplomat for European and Eurasian affairs Wess Mitchell will be in Cyprus on Friday as part of a tour that includes visits to Pristina, Skopje, Belgrade and Athens taking place this week.

According to a statement issued by the US State Department, the assistant secretary of state will meet senior officials in Cyprus “to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including the development of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean”.

During his visit, Mitchell will meet with President Nicos Anastasiades, Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, according to Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides.

The diplomat is also set to meet United Nations representatives.