Cyprus demarcated its maritime border with Egypt in 2003, and with Lebanon in 2007.[9] Cyprus and Israel demarcated their maritime border in 2010.[10] Turkey, which does not recognize the border agreements of Cyprus with its neighbors,[11] threatened to mobilize its naval forces should Cyprus proceed with plans to begin drilling at Block 12.[12] Cyprus's drilling efforts have the support of the United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations, and on September 19, 2011 drilling in Block 12 began without any incidents being reported.[13] The development of oil and gas resources in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) abide to the UN Convention of the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) which the Republic of Cyprus ratified in 1988.[14] The United Kingdom also has a claim on the area resulting from its sovereignty over two base areas in Cyprus. The treaty establishing the Republic of Cyprus (Annex I, Section III) specifically excluded any Cypriot claim to the two areas adjacent to the bases.[15][16]
