Neighbors condemn ‘unlawful gas drilling’ by Ankara

Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece on Tuesday condemned an “unlawful and unacceptable” bid by Turkey to drill inside waters where Cyprus has exclusive economic rights. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hosted a meeting Tuesday with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Cairo.

It’s the most recent summit between the three countries’ leaders aimed at forging an energy-based alliance in the east Mediterranean.

“Turkey’s unacceptable practices and drilling ... are a blatant assault on the rights of the Cypriot Republic and the international law,” Anastasiades told a joint news conference.

He said that Cyprus would resort to “all available diplomatic means to halt Turkey’s aggression.”

El-Sisi said unilateral practices by Turkey risk destabilizing the whole eastern Mediterranean and “damaging the interests” of its countries.

Turkey dispatched vessels to drill for hydrocarbons inside Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, claiming it is protecting its own interests and those of Turkish Cypriots.