Greek Cypriot leader criticizes Ankara for objecting to deal with Israel

Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias on Wednesday attacked Ankara for slamming a maritime accord between his administration and Israel, suggesting that there is nothing in international law to justify Turkey's alleged "cynicism and arrogance." Last week, the Turkish Foreign Ministry slammed the deal as "null and void" since it disregards the rights and jurisdiction of Turkish Cypriots on the island. "(N)either the UN Charter nor international law can justify the level of (Foreign Minister) Davutoglu's cynicism and arrogance," English-language daily The Cyprus Mail quoted Christofias as saying. "The (Greek) Republic of Cyprus has signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and unfortunately Turkey has not signed it, so those outside the law are Mr. Davutoglu and his country," he alleged.