Foreign Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Koutras stated the following in response to a question regarding a Turkish Foreign Ministry announcement on the occasion of the opening of the second round of confirmatory drilling at field 12, within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus:
“As a sovereign and independent state, the Republic of Cyprus is moving ahead with the exercising of its sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone. Rights that are fully guaranteed by international law and the Law of the Sea, and that are recognized by the whole of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey.
Unfortunately, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announcement occasioning the initiation of the second round of confirmatory drilling at field 12, in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus, and the unacceptable references to a two-state solution raise serious doubts as to Turkey’s intentions of contributing to a comprehensive and mutually agreed solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN Security Council resolutions and Cyprus’s status as a member state of the European Union.
Greece reaffirms its support for the UN Secretary General’s Good Offices Mission for the achievement of a bizonal, bicommunal federation solution and stands at the side of the Republic of Cyprus, which has exclusive competency for granting permits for the exploration and exploitation of the natural resources within its EEZ.”
June 18, 2013