Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement on Turkey’s illegal actions in the Cypriot EEZ (4 October 2019)

Turkey’s intention to carry out new drilling activities within the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) follows on a series of violations of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, International Law and the European Acquis.

Carrying out drilling activities in a maritime region that not only is within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus, but has also been delimited and licensed to European companies, clashes with any notion of legality, while ignoring calls from the EU and the international community for respect of the rights of the Republic of Cyprus and de-escalation of tensions.

There is absolute need for stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Such actions in no way contribute to this; in fact, they undermine every effort to consolidate peace and cooperation in the region.

We recall the Conclusions of the European Council of 20 June 2019 and the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 15 July 2019. We also call to mind that the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and the European Commission have been called upon to continue the process for the adoption of targeted measures against Turkey.

The rationale of faits accomplis does not create law; it violates fundamental European principles and distances Turkey from the European Union.

The Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in constant contact, cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and with our European and international Partners and Allies on this issue.

We express our complete solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus and once again call on Turkey to respect international law and the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.