ATHENS — In the midst of a series of a series of positive developments leading to peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region, "Turkey unfortunately constitutes an exception," Cyprus Republic Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Christodoulides said in Athens on Tuesday.

Turkey's illegal actions lead to escalation of tension and "undermine regional stability," he said during a visit for a trilateral meeting between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, citing particularly its actions at Famagusta that contravene UN Security Council resolutions.

Speaking about the trilateral meeting, Christodoulides said it provides an opportunity to expand collaboration and security in the region, such as in the recent signing of the founding charter for the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. Agreements like this provide models of regional collaboration without any exclusions, he said.

The three countries discussed extending existing collaboration in the economy, tourism, technology, science and innovation as well as extending collaboration with other countries of the region. "All countries in the region would be invited, without any exclusions, based on the minimum requirement of respect of international law, territorial integrity of each country and of the principle of good neighborhood," the Cypriot FM stressed.