The government has protested to the UN Turkey’s naval exercises, off Cyprus’ southern coast, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Thursday.
Speaking to the press after a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace, Stephanou said the exercise took place in international waters, within the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Nonetheless, the Turkish government had not informed Nicosia as it should have done, he added.
Invited to comment on the naval exercises conducted by Turkey, Israel and UK in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Spokesman said that both the British and Israeli governments, in compliance with international norms, had notified the Republic of Cyprus about the exercise.
He said that according to the latest information the government has obtained, the Turkish exercise took place today between 9 am (6 GMT) and 2 pm, in the south of the island in international waters but within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
Stephanou recalled that the exercise is taking place at a time when the United Nations have called for restraint and cautioned against tension in the region.
“Nevertheless, Turkey responds to this request with naval manoevures”, he noted.
Turkey, the UK and Israel had announced they would conduct naval exercises within Cyprus’ EEZ.
Unlike the UK and Israel, Turkey had not requested Cyprus’ permission and announced that the exercises will take place on July 12th and 13th, between 8am and 4pm, in the plots 2, 8, 9 and 12 of Cyprus’ EEZ.
Turkey, which aspires to become an EU member and started accessing negotiations, does not recognize the Cyprus Republic which joined the bloc in 2004 and currently holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU.
