The Turkish Ministry of National Defense on Thursday said that it would appropriately respond to any threats made to its continental shelf. ,

The ministry issued a statement regarding the Navtex (navigational telex) announced by the Greek Cypriot Administration for an area near the Turkish continental shelf.

The statement was made during a press briefing at the Ministry in response to a related question.

During the press briefing, ministry officials addressed inquiries concerning the Navtex, which pertains to drilling activities in the 5th block, located near the Turkish continental shelf.

According to the Ministry, the issued Navtex is outside Türkiye’s maritime jurisdiction areas and is approximately 11.5 nautical miles (around 22km) south of the Turkish continental shelf.

A Ministry official stated: “We are closely monitoring the activities of the vessel, which commenced operations on January 19. The rights and interests of Türkiye and the TRNC will continue to be defended resolutely.”

It added that that any violation of our continental shelf will be immediately countered in the field.

“Our state possesses comprehensive expertise on this matter, evaluates it in all dimensions, and determines the necessary steps to be taken. When the time comes, those steps will be implemented,” the statement read.