EU: Athens calls Turkey to respect International Law in Cyprus

Athens has issued a strict warning to Ankara, saying in a more diplomatic matter: “Either respect International Law concerning Cyprus’s rights over gas and petroleum exploration within its legal sea and continental shelf, either take the consequences for your EU membership”.

Konstantinos Koutras, spokesman for the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Turkey ought to respect the sovereign rights that the Republic of Cyprus has on its own continental shelf, as a country-member of the UN and the European Union.

“Cyprus cannot tolerate any further violations of International Law”, Mr. Koutras warned, adding that “Turkey’s behavior will decide it’s European future and also the negotiation process on the Cyprus matter.”

Yesterday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry called upon the international community “to take action to prevent the provocative and one-sided steps taken by the Greek Cypriot side”.

Ankara still refers to the Republic of Cyprus as “the Greek Cypriot Administration in Southern Cyprus”, says that “this administration acts as though it is the sole owners of all sources on the island”, and repeats its demand for the formation of “an equal cooperation”.

Nikos Christodoulides, spokesman of the Cyprus government, said that impeding the work of the company which is conducting exploration drills within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic, does in no way help the normal continuation of the ongoing negotiations for a peaceful solution to the 40 year old division and occupation of the island.