Cyprus has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to protect its rights to marine mineral resources that Turkey is contesting for sovereignty, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said on Thursday.
The Cypriot president said his country is committed to protecting its sovereign rights by all possible legal means.
"This is precisely the purpose of our complaint to The Hague," he told reporters in Nicosia.
The two countries, at odds over offshore areas around the island, have given Cyprus several licenses for international companies to explore for oil and gas.
Turkey, which has no diplomatic ties with the internationally recognized Cypriot government, says Nicosia has no right to grant licenses or that some areas are encroaching on the Turkish continental shelf.
The complaint was made after Ankara sent its own exploration ships to the island.
Anastasiades said Cyprus had sought to send a note of intent to the Turkish embassy in Athens, but did not accept it.
"There is evidence of receipt and this gives Cyprus the right to appeal," according to "Reuters".
Cypriot television Sigma, who first spoke on the subject, said the memo was faxed.
In November, EU foreign ministers adopted a mechanism to "punish or participate in individuals or entities responsible for unauthorized hydrocarbon exploration activities," according to the Associated Press.
The European Union has thus established a sanctions regime against Turkey, and Member States can now provide the names of those they believe should be included in the list.
According to the information, the sanctions would include a travel ban and asset freeze for people and "entities," such as companies or organizations, and EU citizens and companies would be prevented from providing funds and funding to them.
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