In defiance of European threat to sanctions Turkey pledges to continue exploration of the coast of Cyprus

Turkey has vowed to continue gas exploration on the coasts of Cyprus, believed to have large reserves of it, in defiance of Western pressure including the EU threat to impose sanctions.

Foreign Minister Mouloud Gawishoglu said Wednesday at a press conference in the Turkish capital Ankara that his country would continue exploration work in the eastern Mediterranean region, stressing that Turkish activities are in accordance with international law.

He added that none of the guarantors in the Cyprus case had the right to comment on Turkish excavations.

He called on the European Union to seek a common solution to the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean region, pointing out that any European steps against his country in this file will have adverse repercussions.

He also said in this context: either find common solutions and share the wealth fairly, or the country continues to defend the rights of Turkish Cypriots.

The comments come in conjunction with a European meeting in Brussels to discuss the imposition of sanctions on Turkey for the exploration of gas on the coast of Cyprus, is scheduled to hold the European Union foreign ministers meeting on this matter next Monday.

EU Security and External Relations Commissioner Federica Mugherini reiterated the sanctions and expressed the solidarity of the 28 members of the EU with Greek Cyprus, which said it would pursue all diplomatic and legal means to defend what it regards as exclusive economic rights in the maritime area where the Turkish exploration is being conducted.

Earlier in the day, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two national exploration vessels, "Fatih, Yawoz" began exploration of energy sources within the continental shelf on the west of the island of Cyprus, noting that Ankara has already informed the United Nations of the annexation of the shelf.

It added that Turkey had obtained exploration licenses in this shelf from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to extract energy in the name of the Turkish Cypriots.

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Turkey asserts that it is prospecting for gas in eastern Cyprus to protect its rights and the rights of the Turkish Republic of Cyprus, which only Ankara recognizes, at which time its opponents describe the exploration activities it has initiated as illegal.

The ship "Fateh" began exploration 42 miles (67 km) west of the coast of Cyprus, while "Yawooz" exploration will start east of the island in the protection of the Turkish navy.

Excavations have put Turkey in a confrontation not only with the Greek Cypriot Republic of the European Union, but also with its supporters, notably Greece, the European Union and the United States, as well as Egypt, which has also entered the line with Cyprus in view of the tense relationship between Cairo and Ankara.

Ankara condemned the first position of the foreign minister of the new conservative Greek government, saying that the membership of Cyprus and Greece in the European Union does not give them the right to rape the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots.

Washington yesterday expressed deep concern over the Turkish exploration, and demanded Ankara to stop these operations, which it described as provocative. At the same time, however, it urged all parties to show restraint and to refrain from actions that would heighten tensions in the region.