Egypt, Cyprus, Greece Slam Turkey Over Sea Drills

Egypt, Cyprus and Greece expressed deep concerns of “illegal and illegitimate” military operation by Turkey in east Syria.

After tripartite talks between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President Nicos Anastasiades and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated importance of increasing exerted efforts to foster security, stability, prosperity and peace in the east Mediterranean region. 

The three leaders tackled latest developments of their countries’ cooperation, according to the final statement issued after finishing the talks. 

President Sisi hosted the meeting at Ettahadiya Palace, eastern Cairo.

It’s the most recent summit between the three countries’ leaders aimed at forming an energy-based alliance in the east Mediterranean.

Turkey's Violations in the Mediterranean 

The seventh Trilateral Summit highlighted the need to respect international law, amidst Turkish illegal activities in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The first summit was launched in late 2014 in Cairo; three of them were hosted by Cairo.

On his part, Anastasiades told a joint news conference that Cyprus will resort to “all available diplomatic means to halt Turkey’s aggression.”

Turkey dispatched vessels to drill hydrocarbons inside Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, claiming it is protecting its own interests and those of Turkish Cypriots.

Moreover, the three leaders referred to the efforts made to address terrorism and extremism, the situation in Libya and Syria, as well as the Palestinian issue.  

They also signed a series of agreements.

Cyprus slammed Turkey over "blatant infringements"

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades slammed Ankara's "unilateral" and "unacceptable" acts and "blatant infringement" on his country's sovereign rights and international laws in this regard by drilling in areas claimed by Nicosia.

The three leaders also expressed their "deep concern" against the "illegal and illegitimate operation" military operation that Turkey announced it was leading in Syrian territories and strongly condemned any Turkish attempts to undermine the territorial integrity of Syria.

The leaders of Cyprus and Greece, both members of the European Union, said Egypt is a key partner of the bloc in the fight against terrorism and pledged to work to bolster EU-Egypt cooperation.