According to the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini” the National Security Council announced that Ankara decided to continue exploration within the Cypriot EEZ, while also referred to the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

All this takes place, according to the same report the moment that the Turkish side rejected the UN proposal to withdraw the “Barbaros” vessel of the Cypriot EEZ for the period of three months, in order to facilitate the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

The proposal for the withdraw was submitted to Ankara by the appointed UN special envoy to Cyprus Espen Barth Eide who conducted a series of meetings in an attempt to defuse the crisis and resume talks.

However, he received the refusal of the Turkish side.

Turkey seems determine to escalate further provocative stance, as the written announcement of the National Security Council, refers  to the decision to continue to protect its rights in the continental shelf in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus EEZ.

“Kathimerini” further reports that according to Turkish diplomatic sources, the specific parts in the statement of the Turkish National Security Council is an “answer” to the tripartite cooperation between Greece – Cyprus – Egypt, which Ankara considers a threat.