Jan 19, 2020

Cyprus on Sunday accused Turkey of "piracy" after Ankara announced new plans to drill for oil and gas in the divided island’s maritime zone, despite the threat of EU sanctions.

“Turkey is turning into a pirate state in the eastern Mediterranean,” the presidency said in a statement.

“Turkey insists on going down the path of international illegality it has chosen,” it said.

Ankara was “repeatedly ignoring calls by the international community, especially the European Union, to terminate its illegal activities" inside Cypriot waters.

Ankara announced Friday the drillship Yavuz would return to waters off Cyprus for drilling activities, a day after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Turkey would start gas exploration "as soon as possible".