NICOSIA — "Cyprus and Greece, as well as the overwhelming majority of European Union member-states, realising the seriousness of the times, have common approaches whose goal is to create conditions that enhance security, stability and cooperation in the especially important – for the EU also – Eastern Mediterranean region," Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday, after a meeting with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Nicosia.

Christodoulides welcomed Dendias and thanked him "for the excellent coordination and steadfast support," of the Greek side, expressing confidence that "the sincere and open discussion that characterises our cooperation will continue."

The coming period will be critical for determining how the situation will unfold, both for the prospects of resuming talks on the Cyprus issue and regarding the future of EU-Turkey relations, he said.

"Given the developments, the seriousness of the moments, I am strongly convinced that now is not the time for many public statements. This are crucial moments. We are all required to show seriousness, consistency, determination and to continue the coordinated and targeted actions that Greece and Cyprus are taking at all levels," he underlined.

Dendias and Christodoulides were meeting to coordinate their course of action ahead of a summit of European Union leaders next week to decide on a Turkish hydrocarbons search in waters where Cyprus and Greece claim exclusive rights and which EU officials have called " provocative"and "unlawful."