Greece and Cyprus called on the European Union to take punitive measures against Turkey amid escalating tensions in the eastern Mediterranean over offshore energy reserves.
According to Guardian, after Ankara announced it would expand exploration for potentially lucrative gas resources in the region, the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, appealed to the EU to unreservedly condemn the illegal actions of Turkey.
The tensions between Turkey and Cyprus increased in light of the dispute over the territorial waters. Thus, Turkey and Cyprus disagree about the status of the Cypriot EEZ, with the former claiming that some areas belong to Northern Cyprus, a country recognized only by Turkey.
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Moreover, the matter got more attention days after a Turkish drilling vessel, the Fatih, launched offshore operations in waters considered part of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone despite warnings from western allies.
In light of the above, Cyprus’ Nicosia threatened of Nicosia also threatened to jeopardise EU enlargement talks if in the possibility that the Union fails to take action against Ankara.
Generally, Fatih, the Turkish drilling vessel, is in anchorage west of Cyprus since early May and recently began drilling.