Turkey said on Wednesday it would continue gas exploration off the coast of Cyprus despite warnings from Athens and the European Union, which called on Ankara to halt its activities, calling it "illegal."
The discovery of a huge gas reserve in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a dispute between EU member Turkey and Turkey, which last month sent a second vessel, Yavuz, to explore for oil and gas in the region.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Ankara "rejects" criticism by Greek and European officials, stressing that one of its vessels began exploration work in May, while preparing a second ship to start operations.
"The exploration activities of our ship Yavuz are based on legal and legal foundations," she said.
On 20 June, Turkey sent Yavoz, the second vessel carrying out offshore exploration, after it had sent the Fath in May to explore the waters of the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus.
Turkey´s activities in the eastern Mediterranean are provoked by sharp reactions from Cyprus, Greece and the European Union, which has repeatedly reiterated its warnings to Ankara.
The European Union said in a statement on Monday that the second attempt by Turkey to explore for oil and gas constitutes an "unacceptable escalation" after Ankara called for an end to its "illegal" activities or to face sanctions.
The European Council said it was considering the possibility of "taking appropriate action" and would respond "in full solidarity with Cyprus".
The United States and Egypt also drew similar criticism this week, as Washington urged the Turkish authorities to "stop these operations," while Cairo expressed "concern" about Turkey´s intention to explore off the coast of Cyprus.
The discovery of huge gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has been a race to explore the bottom of the sea and has sparked tensions between EU member Turkey and Turkey.
