EU Commission Calls on Turkey to Refrain from Creating Tension, After Drillship Incident

The European Commission on Monday called on Turkey to refrain from "tensions, threats or actions" that affect good neighbourly relations, following an incident over the weekend at the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Turkish Navy ships obstructed a drillship of Italian oil company ENI from drilling off Cyprus over the weekend.

Asked during a regular press briefing in Brussels to comment, EU Commision spokeswoman Mina Andreeva told journalists that "Turkey must fully commit itself to building good neighbourly relations and to avoid any source of tensions, threats or actions aimed at EU member states that affect good neighbourly relations and peaceful settlement of disputes."

Greek foreign ministry statement

Also on Monday, the Greek foreign ministry called on Turkey to comply with the international law. "Turkey continues to dispute international legality by flagrantly violating the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. We call on Turkey to desist from further unlawful actions and comply with its obligations stemming from international law.Such conduct is indicative of certain of Turkey's intentions with regard to the Cyprus issue.Turkey's provocative conduct is not consistent with the conduct of a country that is a candidate for accession to the EU. We welcome Cyprus's calm and composed stance, which reaffirms its role as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean," the ministry's announcement said.