Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras convened the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) on Sunday at Maximos mansion to discuss Turkey’s provocation to commence illegal drilling in Cyprus territorial waters.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Alexis Tsipras issued a statement warning Turkey that whoever violates the International Law in the region and violates Greece and Cyprus' sovereign rights, which are EU member states "should know that there will be sanctions".
Meanwhile the US State Department characterised Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu's statement in early May, who said that Ankara has launched the process for the conducting of drilling inside Cyprus' EEZ, a 'very provocative' step that will increase the tension in the region.
During the defence council meeting the Greek PM had a telephone discussion with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, noting that they discussed the steps they will follow in the context of EU in which participate both countries.
"We agreed to pave the way in order for the EU Summit next week to take the necessary decisions, even to impose sanctions against Turkey if it is confirmed that it has proceed to drilling inside Cyprus' EEZ.
Addressing the Greek people, Tsipras said that they are and should know and feel "totally safe". He said that Greece and Cyprus' strong position is based on alliances and are legally based and has been confirmed by the European Council's successive decisions that condemn the violations of the International law and the Turkish provocations.
