Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos’ made the following statement regarding the presence of the Turkish research vessel Barbaros within the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ): "Unfortunately, Turkey did not heed to the voice of international legality. […]

The attempt of Barbaros to carry out exploration is obviously a flagrant flouting of the International Law of the Sea, because in this region there is no question as to the delimitation of the continental shelf and EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus. […] Turkey is undermining the dialogue in Cyprus and creating a crisis hotspot at a time when the international community’s attention is – as it ought to be- focused on Kobani, ISIS and the fight against international terrorism. […] That is why we call on Turkey to reverse course, not just with the vessel, but also in its foreign policy.”

 Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is scheduled to visit Cyprus on November 7, to attend a trilateral energy meeting between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt.