ENERGY: UK parties decry Turkey’s ‘unacceptable’ illegal operations in Cyprus EEZ

Turkey’s incursion into Cyprus waters with the intent to drill for oil and gas was called an unacceptable act of aggression by UK Labour Party’s Shadow Peace and Disarmament Minister Fabian Hamilton.

In a statement to the UK National Federation of Cypriots he said: “The announced intentions of Turkey to carry out exploration and drilling in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are wholly unacceptable.  

Sending in a drill ship to the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus is an irresponsible act of aggression that cannot be justified.”
He added” “Turkey must show respect for the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and the relevant provisions of international law by removing its drill ship.”

Hamilton welcomed the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign fund “so that the benefit of any exploitation in the EEZ can be shared with all Cypriots. The Labour Party is calling for negotiations to re-commence, so the island can be re-united.”



SNP Foreign Affairs and Europe spokesman MP Stephen Gethins, made his party’s position clear when Tweeting: “I have written to Jeremy Hunt over Turkey’s drilling operations within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone. This is a violation of Cypriot sovereignty according to EU and International Law.”