Turkey needs to understand that its European prospects cannot have the violation of international law as a starting point, Greek Government Vice President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Monday, in Brussels, speaking on the sidelines of an EU Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting.
“Turkey`s violation of international law with regard to the Republic of Cyprus` sovereign rights is a priority for us,” he said, adding that he stresses this issue in all his contacts with his counterparts.
This, he noted, is understood and it is necessary not only to declare one`s respect of international law but also to stop violations of international law on the ground, something he described as very
important after the very clear position the European Parliament has expressed in a resolution it adopted after a Turkish seismic exploration vessel entered last month Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone and Ankara issued an illegal maritime order (NAVTEX) for the area.
The Greek Minister expressed the hope that Turkey “will understand that if it aspires to have a European perspective and a regional role, which is acceptable through international legitimacy, it cannot have the violation of international law as a starting point”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Ankara does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004.
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades decided to suspend his participation in the UN- backed negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, after Turkish seismic exploration vessel Barbaros entered last month Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone, a few days after Turkey issued an illegal maritime order (NAVTEX) for the area.