The leaders of both Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus met on Thursday in a bid to restore the stalled United Nations peace talks to unify the island after their recent collapse.
The move comes shortly after Erdogan’s referendum victory which grants him sweeping new powers and against news of Turkey’s plans to start seismic research on Friday in the bay of Famagusta, fuelling concern it could expand its activities within the island’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Cyprus Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it reserves the right to take all actions necessary in accordance with international law if Turkey conducts research within its EEZ and its continental shelf off the coast of Famagusta.
“This will constitute a violation of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Cyprus Republic,” the ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a pair of armed Turkish F-16 fighter jets entered the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) on Thursday between the north eastern Aegean island of Lesvos and Limnos. Greek military authorities said the pair engaged twice in mock dog fights with a corresponding pair of Greek jets.
