Greek Cyprus to block Turkey's EU entry bid over gas row

Nicosia, 21 October 2014 (MIA) - Greek Cyprus says it will block any progress in Turkey's ongoing talks to join the European Union in response to a Turkish gas search in waters where the EU member has already licensed companies to drill. 

Greek Cyprus government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides says Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades will also lodge a formal complaint against Turkey at an EU leader's meeting later this week, AP reported on Tuesday. 

Cyprus was split along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey sen troops to the island after a coup by supporters of a union with Greece. Turkey doesn't recognize Greek Cyprus as a state and opposes its offshore energy search.

Anastasiades suspended reunification talks with the Turkish Cypriot side earlier this month after Turkey announced its gas search plans.