Greek minister says Turkey’s drilling tests EU’s credibility

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Greece’s new defence minister says Turkey’s illegal gas drilling off Cyprus is testing the European Union’s credibility as a guardian of its members’ energy interests in the Mediterranean.

Nikos Panagiotopoulos said after talks with the defence minister of Cyprus on Friday that Greece is monitoring Turkey’s activity in waters where Cyprus has exclusive economic rights with “great concern.”

He said the Turkish government’s “expanding provocative and unlawful behaviour” in the island nation’s territory leaves “no room for complacency.”

A Turkish vessel is drilling west of Cyprus and another is poised to start east of the island, which is ethnically divided between Greeks and Turks.

The Turkish government says it’s acting to preserve its own energy reserve rights and those of Turkish Cypriots.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Turkey this week.