Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement on Turkey’s declaration of illegal drilling within the continental shelf and EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus (21 April 2020)

We unequivocally condemn Turkey’s newly declared illegal drilling within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus; drilling that, in fact, Turkey plans to carry out in fields that have been licensed, via the proper legal procedures, to European energy companies.

This is yet another provocation that ignores the calls of the EU and the international community for respect of international legality and of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus. It also confirms, once again, Turkey’s destabilising role and its standing as the principal violator of International Law in the region. We reiterate that repeated and persistent violations of international legality do not produce any legal effects or create accomplished facts.

We express our undivided support and complete solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus, and we again call on Turkey to respect International Law and desist from actions that undermine security and stability in our common neighbourhood.