Statements made by Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu concerning Turkey's search for oil and gas within Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) prompted strong reaction in Athens yesterday (22.10).

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias sent a message to Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, expressing Greece’s support in the face of Turkey's "illegal and provocative" actions, which he said violated Cyprus' sovereign rights.

"At this time when the Cyprus Republic's sovereign rights to its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are being violated in an illegal and provocative manner by Turkey, I wish to relay the unanimous support of the Hellenic Republic and the entire Greek people," Papoulias said, while stressing that the European Union must stand by Cyprus at this time.