Todays Zaman: EP condemns Turkey’s gas search in Cyprus, warns of strain in ties

Condemning Turkey's oil and gas exploration activities in northern Cypriot waters, members of the European Parliament (EP) said on Thursday that Turkey's threats undermine peace talks on the island and warned of a strain in the country's relations with the EU.

“MEPs condemned Turkey's ‘maritime survey' activities as encroaching upon the Republic of Cyprus' exclusive economic zone and its sovereign right to explore the natural resources within it, in a resolution voted on Thursday,” according to a written statement released by the EP.

The EP members stressed that Turkey's maritime surveys must be seen as illegal and provocative and called on the country to withdraw its vessel, which is conducting searches off the island.

Turkey recently sent a seismic research vessel, the Barbaros, to the region, which Greek Cyprus considers a violation of Cyprus's territorial waters.
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