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France has condemned this Saturday, October 5 the dispatch of a new Turkish drill ship in the territorial waters of Cyprus. Paris denounces a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and international law. Tensions have recently mounted in the region between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots on gas fields off the island.
France on Saturday condemned the dispatch of a new Turkish drill ship into the territorial waters of Cyprus, an " unfriendly gesture " likely to lead to " escalation of tensions " in the region. " The arrival of a new Turkish drill ship in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and international law ," said a spokesman for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. a statement.
The arrival of a new Turkish drill ship in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and international law.
Complete statement 👇https: //t.co/VQ6V7cdVPw
According to Nicosia, Turkey has sent the drilling vessel Yavuz to Block 7 of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf, and the operating licenses for this area have been awarded to the French and Italian energy giants, Total and ENI.
The discovery of gas fields in recent years off Cyprus has exacerbated tensions between Ankara and Nicosia. The island wants to take advantage of its reserves and dreams of becoming an exporting country.
In September, the Cypriot government awarded France's Total and Eni Italian licenses to explore and exploit its gas and oil fields. Except that Turkey, which has occupied northern Cyprus since 1974, opposes any exploration that would exclude this part of the island. This territory where Turkish Cypriots live is not recognized by the international community. Several attempts to unify the island have failed.
In this tense context, Turkey is provocative and has sent three ships to areas where foreign companies operate to drill their own. The European Union, of which Cyprus is a member, considers these explorations illegal. After several warnings, Brussels adopted in July economic and political sanctions against Turkey. But the measures have had no effect, Ankara continues to pursue its activities.
Pompeo, visiting Athens, warned Ankara
" We told the Turks that illegal drilling is unacceptable and we will continue to take diplomatic action to ensure that activities (in the region) are legal, " US PM Mike Pompeo said in Athens .
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke in his talks with Mike Pompeo about the tense situation in the eastern Mediterranean: "Cyprus has called for the application of international law and I am looking forward to the positive contribution of the United States to help a better climate. in the region, "Mitsotakis said at the beginning of his discussions with Mike Pompeo.