The Turkish oil- and gas-drilling ship ‘Fatih’ has started operations off the coast of northeastern Cyprus, Turkish vice president Fuat Oktay was quoted on Friday as saying, despite warnings from the EU that Ankara should stand down.

On Monday, the EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted a framework for restrictive measures against Ankara over its drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey, a formal candidate to join the EU despite worsening ties with the bloc, criticized the decision and said it would not cease drilling because it is operating on its own continental shelf or in areas where Turkish Cypriots have rights.

Another Turkish drill ship, the Yavuz, is off the west coast of Cyprus, Reuters reports.