Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu commented on his country’s activities in the Eastern Mediterranean during an interview with state broadcaster TRT on Turkish TV. He said that Turkey was acting within the rules of international law and protecting its interests in exploring the natural energy deposits in the region.

He said, “It does not matter what the Greek Cypriots do for us. They can’t take the slightest step in the Eastern Mediterranean. If they dare, they will receive the appropriate response just like in the past.”

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His threats continued throughout the interview. “Only Turkey decides what to do on its continental shelf. It is Turkey’s duty, as a guarantor, to protect the rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot people,” he said, referring to the occupied territory invaded in 1974 that is not recognised as a sovereign state by any country apart from Turkey.

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