Greece has slammed Turkey for deploying the drilling ship Yavuz again to Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for one more time. Ankara issued a new navigation warning NAVTEX, reserving the area between Blocks 6 and 7 of Cyprus’ EEZ from Monday, April 20, until July 18. The Yavuz is accompanied by a frigate of the Turkish Navy.
“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,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“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,” the statement stressed.
Expressing full support and solidarity with Cyprus, Greece ‘s Foreign Ministry calls on “Turkey to respect International Law and desist from actions that undermine security and stability in our common neighborhood.”
