The Cypriot authorities have decided to sue the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Turkey in connection with the drilling of gas in Cyprus waters, AP reported

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said this decision is part of his government’s obligation to use all legal means to protect the sovereign rights of ethnically divided Cyprus. 

According to him, Turkey was notified of the lawsuit through its embassy in the Greek capital, adding.

Turkey, which does not recognize Cyprus as a state, is engaged in drilling in waters, which are the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus.

Ankara claims to be almost half of the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus and said that it acts to protect its rights and the rights of the separatist Turkish Cypriots to the region’s energy reserves.