Cyprus is to have an upgraded role due to the natural gas reserves discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean, President Anastasiades said in statements on Tuesday, directing a message to Ankara and the EU.

“Without Cyprus gas cannot be directed towards Europe, and neither towards Turkey,” Anastasiades said at the Presidential Palace, adding that if Turkey pursues its own need, whether for reasons of its own policies to re-establish relations with Israel and Egypt, then they will have to solve the Cyprus issue.