Nicosia[/B] is in any case taking the necessary actions to safeguard the interests of the Republic of Cyprus as a sovereign state, a competent source told the Cyprus News Agency, when asked about the issuance of a NAVTEX by the CBCC of the Republic of Cyprus in response to the Turkish NAVTEX, valid from 26 to 29 August, for scientific research in an area part of which concerns the EEZ and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus.
The same source said that the Turkish NAVTEX expires at midnight today and that the Turkish vessel Bilim 2 for which the Turkish naval directive was issued was in a Turkish port until early this afternoon.
They issued a NAVTEX that affects the EEZ and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus, which is illegal as they need permission from us to do so, the same source said, adding that the Republic's authorities are monitoring the situation.
He added that the issuing of NAVTEX by the CCSED is a usual procedure in such cases since failure to do so would mean that the Republic of Cyprus is renouncing its sovereign rights.
The NAVTEX issued by the CCSED notes that part of the area referred to in the Turkish naval directive overlaps with the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus.
This action by Turkey is illegal and constitutes a violation of international law and maritime security procedures. It is also a criminal offence under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus, it adds.
It is also stated that the Republic of Cyprus demands that Turkey cancel its NAVTEX immediately.
It is noted that in a NAVTEX issued later, Turkey refers to "attempts to legitimize illegal claims by the E/C administration" through the NAVTEX of the CSTO, noting that these will not be accepted by it.
It also claims that its own naval directive on scientific research is "valid and in force."
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