We are closely following the Greek Cypriot Administration’s ongoing unilateral hydrocarbon-related activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, which disregard the inalienable rights on natural resources of the Turkish Cypriot people, the co-owners of the Island.

From the very beginning, Turkey has been issuing the necessary warnings with regard to these irresponsible steps taken by the Greek Cypriot Administration.

This time, a drilling vessel has arrived in the region to commence work in the context of the so-called licenses unilaterally issued by the Greek Cypriot Administration.

The negotiation process, including the Conference on Cyprus, could not produce results despite all the well-intentioned efforts of the Turkish side. It is in fact obvious that the primary reason for this is the Greek Cypriot side’s propensity to regard itself as the sole owner of the Island.

Turkey is determined to protect both its own rights and interests in its continental shelf and to continue its support to the Turkish Cypriot side. Within this framework, we will take the necessary measures, in coordination with the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, in response to the unilateral activities being conducted by the Greek Cypriot side in disregard of the legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriots on the natural resources around the Island.