Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said on Sunday Cyprus would start drilling for hydrocarbons within the next few days, defying warnings from Turkey which has challenged its authority to do so, Reuters reported. "We will continue to exercise our evident sovereign rights, which includes exploiting natural resources, always within the parameters of international law ... the exploratory drilling is expected to start within the next few days," Christofias told a meeting of British Cypriots in London. Cyprus, represented in the EU by its internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot government, has commissioned a U.S company to drill for hydrocarbons in an offshore area south-east of the island.
