Egypt issues warning over Cyprus rights

Egypt has sent out a warning on Sunday about repercussions of any unilateral moves that could breach the rights of the Republic of Cyprus and pose threats to security and stability in the Middle East.

Cairo’s foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez issued a statement saying Egypt was putting emphasis on the need for respect and implementation of rules and regulations based on international law.

“Egypt affirms the rights and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over its resources in the Easter Mediterranean, under international law and based on the United Nations Law of Sea convention, including areas which Cyprus has granted licenses for oil and natural gas exploration.”

Hafez also warned “against consequences of any single actions that violate Cyprus rights and threaten the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean region.”

Earlier on Sunday, the Cyprus News Agency reported that the Cypriot government issued a statement saying Turkey was “turning into a pirate state in the Eastern Mediterranean" after the island had condemned Ankara’s new plans for drilling in the area.

“Turkey insists on going down the path of international illegality which has chosen for itself," the statement said.

Ankara, which plans to conduct five offshore drilling rounds for oil and natural gas in 2020, insists it has legitimate rights in the eastern Mediterranean as well as off the Greek island of Crete and in the demarcated Cypriot EEZ.

The Turkish government has slammed allies in the region and accused them of insisting on unilateral actions that exclude Ankara.