NO. 42

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) issued the following statement on Turkey’s most recent incursion into the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus last week:

AHI condemns Turkey’s violation of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus with the reported arrival of the Turkish drillship, “Yavuz,” April 20, 2020, and welcomes U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Judith Garber’s response that expressed deep concern about Turkey’s plans to drill in Cyprus’ EEZ and urged Turkey to halt its operations.

Ambassador Garber commented on Turkey’s planned operations in an interview published in Phileleftheros, April 26, 2020.

“We welcome Ambassador Garber’s statement,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “Turkey’s actions are in violation of international law and its drilling ship must leave Cyprus’ EEZ. It is unacceptable that amid a pandemic Turkey continues to be an instigator of tensions and provocative behavior, a violator of international law, and a threat to peace and stability.”

Larigakis added, “However, Ambassador Garber calls ‘on all parties to avoid steps that raise tensions in the region,’ and AHI maintains firmly that there is only one country that needs to be called on to refrain from provocations and that country is failed NATO ally, Turkey.”

AHI has repeatedly warned the United States government that its officials must be vigilant as historically, during times of crisis or major distraction, Turkey has shown a tendency to create external disturbances to distract from domestic problems.