A statement by GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer:

“GUE/NGL denounces in the strongest possible terms Turkey’s violations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus and calls on the UN Security Council and the European Union to take necessary measures.”

“As of yesterday, the Turkish exploratory vessel “Barbaros”, accompanied by the support ship “TANUX-1″, began to conduct searches in block 9 of the Cypriot EEZ. This constitutes an illegal act and a clear violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.”

“At a time when all parties should be focusing on resuming talks in view of achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem, Turkey is creating an explosive atmosphere with its provocative and illegal actions.”

“We call on Turkey to immediately withdraw its exploratory vessels from the Cypriot EEZ,” Zimmer concluded.