With a
Navigational Warning dated 22 November 2013, Turkey illegally reserved sea
areas, which include part of the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus,
near the southern coasts of the Karpas Peninsula and the Famagusta Gulf, as
well as part of the adjacent Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The reason
stated, for the reservation of the said areas, is the conduct of seismic survey
by the Turkish survey vessel Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa, from 22 November to 18
December 2013. The Cyprus Government issued immediately a Notice, which underlines
that sea areas within the Search and Rescue Region of the Republic of Cyprus
(which also include the territorial waters) as well as the Cyprus’ EEZ can only
be reserved by the Republic of Cyprus.
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows closely the Turkish moves and activities
and takes all due actions to protest the new violations by Turkey of the
sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdictions of the Republic of Cyprus in
its seas. At the same time it considers further ways of conveying the message
to Ankara that it is not in its interests to continue undermining stability and
security in the region and violating its legal obligations towards all members
of the international community.
Despite Turkey’s
delinquent behavior, the Republic of Cyprus will continue undistracted its
activities for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in its seas, through
the duly licensed by the Republic of Cyprus oil and gas companies, always
acting in accordance with the relevant provisions of the International Law of
the Sea and its national legislation.
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