The Government has taken action at various levels in relation to the new Turkish challenges concerning the mission of the research vessel “Barbaros” in the Cypriot EEZ, said Deputy Government Spokesman Panagiotis Sentonas.

Speaking to the President, he said that the “Barbaros” mission is another indication of the Turkish intentions.

“Turkey, once again, is aggravating the already tense crisis in the region and is once again violating the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus,” he said.

He added that actions by the Government are underway at various levels. As he said, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Christodoulidis, has already talked with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Nikos Dendias, while the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has also been contacted. He added that there was also communication with the German Presidency of the EU Council.

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“Various actions of the Government are underway at various levels in order to manage this new unacceptable challenge of Turkey,” he said.

Asked whether the different reactions of the Europeans, in terms of the Greek continental shelf and the Cypriot EEZ, are problematic, Mr. Sentonas said that he is certainly concerned.

“This is why the President of the Republic, in all his previous contacts, has highlighted the need for the most decisive stance of the EU towards the Turkish challenges; because we consider them to be challenges towards the EU as well,” he said.

He recalled the proposals submitted by the President to the European Council, what had been agreed in the previous Foreign Affairs Council and the issues raised by German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and French President, Emanuel Macron.

“We believe that the European Union should take a more decisive and effective stance in regards to Cyprus, which is an EU member state,” he concluded.

Source: CNA