Turkey placed its oil drill Fatih inside the Cyprus' Economic zone 74 Kms west of Paphos.
Cyprus is about to publish international arrest warrant for the crews of Fatih and the escort ships.
US Embassy in Cyprus made a statement:
Also the Republic of Egypt warned that any kind of such action could cause a conflict in the area.The United States discourages any action or rhetoric that increases tensions in the region, a statement by a spokesman for the US Embassy in Cyprus said today.
According to their long-standing policy - added in the statement - the United States recognizes the right of the Republic of Cyprus to develop its resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone and believe that the oil and gas resources of the island should be allocated fairly between the two communities in the context of a comprehensive settlement.
"A fair and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem would greatly facilitate the development of resources and help to ensure that all Cypriots benefit," the US Embassy spokesman in Cyprus concludes.
Turkey announced that does not intent to back up.Cairo describes that action as a "provocative act of Turkey", "a flagrant violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with the International Law and the Law of the European Union".
Egypt is watching with concern the ongoing developments in what has been announced about Turkey's intentions to proceed with gas extraction in Cyprus's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in its western maritime region. "
Greek President from Crete said that Greece is ready to defend its rights in the region also.
The Greek Foreign Afairs ministry published this :
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federico Mogherini, has expressed "great concern" over Turkey's declared intention to drill in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus.We condemn Turkey's decision to conduct illegal drilling in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.
We call on Turkey to stop its illegal activities immediately, to respect the inalienable rights of the sovereign Republic of Cyprus for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people, and to refrain from further actions that undermine stability in the region, as well as the resumption of talks on a fair and a viable solution to the Cyprus problem. We welcome the cool and sober attitude of the Republic of Cyprus, which reaffirms its role as a pillar of stability and a credible partner in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece recalls the content of the March 2018 European Council Conclusions and subsequent EU positions and remains in constant communication and co-ordination with the Republic of Cyprus and its Community partners and allies for the next appropriate action.
Recalling that in March 2018 the European Council strongly condemned Turkey's continuing illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, Mogerini urged Turkey "to urge Turkey to show restraint, to respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus in its Exclusive Economic Zone and to abstain from any such illegal action to which the European Union will respond in an appropriate manner and in full solidarity with Cyprus. "
All those could be another act of "who is the boss" theatre in both sides but in the same area Fatih and its escort of 3 suport ships, 1 Frigade and one submarine, there are Greek Frigades and Submarines, Egyptian naval task force and multiple EU war ships from France and Germany. We remind that a week ago France and Cyprus signed a defence pact of aid against ant threats.
Sources:
Turkey to begin drilling for resources around Cyprus
NAVTEX
MarineTraffic
UK watching developments in the region with concern (Update 2)