The US State Department called on Turkey on Sunday to cancel its plans to drill off Cyprus, accusing Ankara of risking raising tensions in the region.

In a statement the US State Department notes that “the United States is deeply concerned by Turkey’s announced intentions to begin offshore drilling operations in an area claimed by the Republic of Cyprus as its Exclusive Economic Zone.”

It adds that “this step is highly provocative and risks raising tensions in the region.”

The State Department announcement also urges Ankara “to halt these operations and encourage all parties to act with restraint.”

The move by the State Department follows Turkey’s hardline stance which was reiterated earlier on Sunday by Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, who told the Anadolu News Agency that Ankara is determined to protect its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea under international law.

“Along with the rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean under international law, as a guarantor country, Turkey is determined to always protect the rights of the people of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and not to allow the fait accompli,” Akar told the Anadolu Agency.

Akar called on Greece for common sense and cooperation, and added that the energy sources in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean should serve as a bridge for peace, dialogue, and mutual development.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on May 4 to reject the remarks made by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini regarding Turkey’s hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“Turkey’s hydrocarbon-related activities in the Eastern Mediterranean region are based on its legitimate rights stemming from international law.

“As we previously stressed on many occasions, having the longest coastal line in the region, we will protect our own rights and interests within our continental shelf, as well as those of the Turkish Cypriots around the Cyprus Island,” the ministry declared.

greekreporter