Responding to journalists’ questions regarding of the Republic of Cyprus, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Koutras a Turkish Foreign Ministry announcement on the exploitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf stated the following: 

"Turkey is aware, and at any rate ought to be aware, that respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in the EEZ and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus – that is, of a member state of the United Nations and the European Union – is an obligation for the whole of the international community. Cyprus cannot bear any further violation of international law. Turkey’s European course and the course of the negotiations in Cyprus hinge on Turkey’s conduct."