Turkey expressed concerning on the exploitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of the republic of Cyprus. A written statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey is following the continued “unilateral research activities of hydrocarbon resources in its so-called EEZ without taking into account the Turkish Cypriots’ detailed and concrete cooperation proposals for a fair sharing.”

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Konstantinos Koutras responded to the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s statement during a meeting with journalists. He said: “Turkey is aware, and at any rate ought to be aware, that respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in the EEZ and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus – that is, of a member state of the United Nations and the European Union – is an obligation for the whole of the international community. Cyprus cannot bear any further violation of international law. Turkey’s European course and the course of the negotiations in Cyprus hinge on Turkey’s conduct.”