President of the Republic Demetris Christofias on Tuesday called on the international community to respond “to any possible unlawful act” by Turkey regarding Cyprus’ right to start oil and gas exploration in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In a statement to the press following a ministerial meeting on the issue, President Christofias said that Cyprus Republic will press ahead on gas drilling in Block 12 in its EEZ, in the framework of the agreement signed with Houston-based Noble Energy International.

Cyprus has signed a production-sharing contract with Noble. The company has a concession to explore for hydrocarbons in an offshore field in Cyprus’ EEZ, known as Block 12.

“We have decided that Noble Energy will proceed in the forthcoming period with the exploratory drilling in order to find out the quantity and the quality of hydrocarbons”, he said.

President Christofias noted that it is Cyprus’ sovereign right, based on the international law and the law of sea, to start the gas exploration in its EEZ, underlining that “all our decisions and actions so far, stem from the international law and strictly fall into this parameter”.

Cyprus President referred to Turkey’s recent threats and statements, in an attempt to question the Republic’s rights in its EEZ.

“Turkey is causing tension in the region, sending the message that it acts like a troublemaker and violates international norms”, President said, adding that “the Turkish Cypriot community will benefit from the exploitation in a reunified Cyprus”.
He also clarified that during the UN –led direct talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem, the community leaders have agreed that the central government of federal Cyprus will deal with all the issues regarding the exploitation of natural gas.

President also said that the Cyprus government in cooperation and coordination with Greece closely follows the developments and keeps alert.

“We have taken action in the direction of the UN and the EU and on the possibility of Turkey committing an unlawful act, something which we hope will not happen, we will expect a strong and effective response from the international community”, President noted.

He also called on all political parties in Cyprus to remain in unity, announcing that right after his trip to New York for the UN General Assembly, the Informal Council of the leaders of the political parties will convene in order to discuss and assess the situation.

Turkish Premier Tayip Erdogan has criticized Cyprus’ right in its EEZ saying that “as a guarantor of the rights of northern Cyprus (a breakaway territory recognized only by Turkey) had the right to monitor international waters in the eastern Mediterranean”.
He also questioned the rights of Israel with whom Cyprus has signed an agreement regarding the EEZ, to explore for natural gas.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and has said it will not talk to Nicosia, when it assumes the rotating six monthly EU Presidency in the second half of 2012.

The leaders of the two communities, namely President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, are currently engaged in UN-led talks, with an aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.