Quantcast
Channel: Hellenic American Leadership Council » EEZ
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Another day, another Turkish promise to exploit Cypriot natural resources

0
0

Here we go again:

Turkey’s Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa seismic vessel, which has been conducting offshore oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, could enter Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone in three weeks to continue exploration pending prime ministerial approval, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız has said.

“The Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa is drilling off the coast of the Mersin-İskenderun-Antalya region. It will work there, for three weeks more. Later, we will speak with Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan] as to whether it will enter Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone. If the prime minister approves, the vessel could enter to the north or south of Cyprus because it has both a technical and political dimension,” Yıldız told private broadcaster A Haber in an interview early today.

Yıldız also said they might buy a new vessel depending on the work load.

As an aside, the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa is named after one of the most famous admirals of the Ottoman Empire who was key in securing Ottoman control over the many islands in the Aegean and Ionian seas. The fact that this vessel could be entering Cypriot waters to stake claim in Cypriot natural resources has a tinge of historical irony, to say the least.

Just yesterday, Turkey’s president Abdullah Gül addressed the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly and promised that “Turkey, as a guarantor state is sincerely and fully determined towards finding a just and compromised settlement to the Cyprus problem.”  Turkey’s “sincerity” is severely undermined with promises of Turkish vessels exploring for oil and gas in Cypriot waters.

Ever since massive natural gas deposits have been found in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone, Turkey has sent not only research vessels but warships off the coast of Cyprus. Two months ago, a Turkish gunboat intercepted an Italian research vessel and ordered it to retreat. Famagusta Gazette reported the following at the time:

Maps published in Turkey’s official gazette show that oil drilling permits issued to TPAO, Turkey’s national oil and gas company, stretch as far as the Greek island of Rhodes as well as blocks 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in Cyprus’ EEZ, south and south-west of the island.

Turkey demands that Cyprus cease hydrocarbon explorations pending reunification talks and has previously said it would take measures to protect its interests.

Reunification negotiations are right around the corner, and instead of evidencing the “sincerity” that Turkey’s president professed before the United Nations, Turkey has unfortunately decided to play the same old game.

The post Another day, another Turkish promise to exploit Cypriot natural resources appeared first on Hellenic American Leadership Council.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images