Greece & Cyprus May Take Legal Action Against Turkey

While briefing the parliamentary Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs on the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos did not rule out the likelihood for Greece and Cyprus to take legal action against "Turkey's extreme, blatant and provocative stance which violates international legality/". He said that Ankara's stance and provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean prove that it does not respect international law since it decided to press forth and send the Turkish research vessel 'Barbaros' in Cyprus' continental shelf.

     "Our reaction so far is politically strong, but may assume a legal nature as well," he said.
     "Turkey has no substantive argument and there is no reason for concern as regards the mineral resources, which will belong to the central government that will safeguard the rights of both sides - Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike - in a way that will be not only equal but also friendlier to the Turkish Cypriot side to be able to advance financially and rise to an equal status," added Venizelos.

The Greek Foreign Minister noted that the positive solution of the Cyprus issue is the catalyst for the Greek-Turkish relations, while he pointed out that the Greek side has never abandoned its steadfast position that Turkey's European prospect depends on its (the Cyprus issue) solution.

     "We continue all contacts on all levels in all 58 exploratory rounds. We have never abandoned the dialogue with Turkey in the context of the foreign policy that has been shaped in the past 40 years," Venizelos concluded.