A tripartite statement was issued in Cairo asking Turkey to stop "provocation" in the waters of Cyprus

Cyprus, Greece and Egypt on Tuesday called on Turkey to "end its provocative actions" in the eastern Mediterranean, including oil and gas exploration in the territorial waters of Cyprus, which the three countries described as a "violation of international law."

The joint statement was issued after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in Cairo.

According to the statement, the three countries expressed concern about "new attempts to conduct illegal excavations in the exclusive economic zone" of Cyprus.

Turkey said last Thursday it had sent an exploration ship to the area where Greek and Cypriot authorities had authorized Italian and French companies to explore.

Serious concern
In response, Cyprus, Greece and Egypt said in a joint statement, "The three Heads of State and Government expressed grave concern at the current escalation within the maritime areas of the eastern part of the Mediterranean, while condemning the continuing Turkish actions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus and its territorial waters, Violation of international law. "

Last July, Greece accused Turkey of undermining security in the eastern Mediterranean by exploring for oil and gas around Cyprus.

Earlier this month, Ankara said it rejected EU assurances that Turkey's oil and gas exploration off Cyprus was illegal, adding that the assurances showed the EU could not be a neutral broker on the Cyprus issue.

In January, the Eastern Mediterranean countries meeting in Cairo - including the three countries that issued the statement today - agreed to create a forum for a regional gas market, reduce infrastructure costs, and offer competitive prices as part of efforts to transform the region into a major energy hub. .

Egypt is betting that its strategic location, including the Suez Canal, as a link between Asia and Africa, as well as its infrastructure including a pipeline network and two gas liquefaction plants, will help turn it into a trade and distribution center for the region and beyond.