Tensions continue to rise around Cyprus
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
Turkey is playing with fire after its seismographic vessel the ‘Babaros’ has apparently set a course for plot one of the Cypriot exclusive economic zone, an area where the Cypriot and Israeli militaries have planned training exercises with live ammunition.
Israeli planes are reportedly expected to bombard makeshift targets with live explosives. A Russian vessel is also reportedly planning live ammunition exercises in the area with Cypriot agreement.
Theresearch vessel is being accompanied by two support ships hastraversed plots 2 and 3, apparently conducting seismic surveys. Both plots have been licensed by Cyprus to an Italian – Korean consortium for exploitation.
The move comes a few days after Turkey issued a maritime order, or NAVTEX, for the area, prompting Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to freeze reunification talks with Turkish-Cypriots.
Nicosia has now announced a series of immediate measures to respond to the provocative move by Turkey:
1. A denunciation of the Turkish move by the Cypriot President at the upcoming European Council summit on the 23rd and 24th of October, with the aim that the Turkish actions be deemed illegal and a violation of Cypriot sovereign rights to the Exclusive Economic Zone
2. For the Cypriot Republic to make use of its status as an EU member in various international fora and push for measures to be implemented that will be costly for Turkey.
3. Cyprus will veto any discussion regarding Turkey’s entry into the EU until the issue is resolved.
4. The country will examine the possibility of appealing to the UN Security Council to intervene.
5. Cyprus will examine imposing sanctions against anyone involved with the Turkish actions
6. Diplomatic outreach to allies and third countries
7. Filing an official complaint with the UN’s Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea
8. Filing an official complaint with the International Maritime Organization
Earlier the Cypriot government spokesperson stated that Cyprus would, “make use of its comparative advantages over Turkey in order to impose a diplomatic and political cost on Turkey.”
