Cyprus and its EU partners are working to rein in Turkey’s “expansionist policy” in the eastern Mediterranean amid heightened tensions over an offshore search for hydrocarbons, AP reported referring to Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.

According to him, the EU needs to take stock of how much space it will give an “insolent” Turkey that wants to control the region.

Anastasiades comments came the day after Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Ankara would “reciprocate” if the EU took measures condemning Turkey for conducting a gas search where Cyprus has exclusive economic rights.

“Unfortunately, we’re talking about an agitator that’s seeking to dominate the entire eastern Mediterranean and place under its control a number of countries that ring the eastern Mediterranean,” Anastasiades said.

“This is incomprehensible and unacceptable not only on the basis of international justice, but also based on customary friendly relations that neighboring countries should hold.”