The Turkish Cypriot leader according the the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Volkan, stated at a panel with subject the invasion, that ‘war will break out’ if the Republic of Cyprus proceeds with exploitation of the island’s natural gas reserves. The government’s spokesperson Stephanos Stephanou characterised Mr Eroglu’s statements as unacceptable and dangerous. He added that its the Republic’s sovereign right to manage its own Exclusive Economic Zone and benefit from its natural resources and that threats have no place over this sensitive issue.