EU urges Turkey to respect Greek sovereignty

As Turkey pushes to expand its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, has urged Ankara to respect the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus.

In response to questions about Turkish plans to begin hydrocarbon exploration near Greek islands, Borrell said on Tuesday the EU was monitoring developments while being "in close contact" with Athens and Nicosia.

"We are in close contact with our colleagues, the foreign ministers of Greece and also Cyprus, in order to follow the situation of the drillings, and we are calling on Turkey to stop drilling in the areas where there is the EEZ (exclusive economic zone) or territorial waters of Cyprus and Greece," said Borrell, adding that the Foreign Affairs Council "already delivered a strong message addressed to Turkey."

Borrell said that Turkey's violations were an issue of...