Lakkotrypis: Ankara wants to turn Mediterranean into Turkish lake

Αs Turkish President Recep Tayyip was declaring to  members of his AK Party that Greece has resigned itself to Ankara's geopolitical designs in the Mediterranean, Cyprus' Energy Minister Georgios Lakkotrypis told an audience at the Greek foreign ministry that his country will move forward with its hydrocarbons drilling plans in its exclusive economic zone.

Energy giants such as ExxonMobil, France's Total, and Italy's Eni have all acquired rights in Cyprus' EEZ.

For his part, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias vehemently rejected Erdogan's claims and stressed that Greece will not retreat in defending its sovereign rights.

He said Greece is always prepared to reach an honourable understanding with Turkey but that will never accept a dishonourable and abusive or unfair compromise.

"As we have repeatedly stressed, illegal actions produce no legal effect. Greece, along with the international community rejects and condemns Turkey's illegal moves in the region which continue to undermine regional peace and security, creating, among other things, pretexts for violation of the arms embargo in Libya and for the attempt to usurp the sovereign rights of countries in the region. Unfortunately, in this, too, Turkey continues to be a minority of one," the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement.

Lakkotrypis said that despite Turkish threats and an invasion of Cyprus' EEZ Nicosia is continually attracting new companies and promoting its interests.

"The Eastern Mediterranean could play the role of an alternate energy source and supplies can be routed to the EU. It is from that perspective that we must examine Turkish violations and that is why now geology is inextricably linked to geopolitics. The game and interest is not just about energy...