The international community cannot and must not allow Turkey to jeopardize international legal order in the region of Cyprus, Defence Minister Demetris Eliades has said, pointing out that Turkey’s behaviour exposes that country.

He noted that Turkey continues its provocative actions in the area of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, in international sea waters, as well as in the air space within Nicosia FIR.

Eliades said that the government is monitoring developments in a calm, serious and responsible manner the moves of the Turkish air force and the Turkish navy. He added that Cyprus and Greece act in concert and take in full coordination all necessary measures at the diplomatic, political and operational level.

International organisations and powerful states, he said, are interested in maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, adding that Cyprus acts in full compliance with international law.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.