Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou – Markoullis has stressed that Turkish actions in the Mediterranean, not only threaten peace and security in the region, but they also undermine the current UN – led Cyprus talks, which aim at reaching a viable and just solution of the Cyprus problem.

Addressing the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting which took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Markoullis said that Cyprus is one of the 162 states which have signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, while Turkey, not only refuses to sign it, it continues to express views against its international importance for international law.

Turkey, in full contrast to international law, questions the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus to exploit is natural resources within its EEZ, she underscored.

The Foreign Minister stressed that Turkish positions that Ankara has rights and interests as regards oil and natural gas in Cyprus’ EEZ are groundless and come in contrast to international law. She added that Turkey, showing provocative arrogance, threatens to react if Cyprus proceeds with its plans within its EEZ.

In addition, the Cypriot Minister referred to Turkish provocative actions in the Mediterranean Sea and more particularly to the illegal “delimitation agreement“ signed by the illegal regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus – which is recognised only by Ankara – and Turkey. This illegal agreement, which provides for exploration in Cyprus’ EEZ, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Security Council resolutions 541 and 550, she said.