Reports in the local press reflect a rise in tensions in the eastern Mediterranean drilling for hydrocarbons. The unilateral initiative by the Greek Cypriots to undertake new drilling projects in their search for gas and oil is raising the stakes.
The deepwater drillship commissioned by French energy company Total and Italian ENI continues its preparations to drill offshore Cyprus. Meanwhile, Turkey’s new drillship ‘Deepsea Metro 2′ is on its way from Norway via the Aegean, and is expected to arrive at Istanbul by the end of the week.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily ‘Starkibris’, Turkey has deployed warships to follow the drillship, although they are maintaining a considerable distance. However a Turkish warplane reported trailed a Greek C130 from Larnaca upto Greek airspace.
‘Havadis’ reports that Turkey is sending its seismic survey vessel ‘Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa’ to continue its operations offshore the island. It adds that there will be a takeover ceremony for Turkey’s latest acquisition the Deepsea Metro 2 when it arrives at Istanbul with TRNC Energy Minister Sunat Atun in attendance.
‘Yeni Duzen’ reports that Turkish Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, who made announcements regarding the arrival of the new drillship, also said that no one should consider the eastern Mediterranean as “his father’s property”. He noted that Turkey’s drilling activities would disturb those in some quarters.
StarKibris, Havadis, Yeni Duzen
In another report;
The TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu has said the planned hydrocarbon drilling by the Greek Cypriot side and its unchanged mentality was an indicator that a solution based on a political partnership was not possible.
He said that the prospect of negotiating a two-state solution could be on the horizon as an option in the near future.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu said that the Greek Cypriot side ignored the rights of Turkish Cypriots.
“We are watching the Greek Cypriots continue hydrocarbon explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean in amazement despite all warnings made to this date”, he said.
Ertuğruloğlu said that the launch of new hydrocarbon activities was the latest example of the Greek Cypriot side’s illegal activities and a blunt repetition of the mistakes made in the past.
“Their activities are an indication that they consider themselves the island’s only legitimate owner”, he added.
Ertuğruoğlu also pointed out that it was the Greek Cypriot side to blame for the failure of the Conference on Cyprus held earlier this year despite the Turkish Cypriot side’s constructive efforts.
“We would like to use this unfortunate occasion to once again remind that the Turkish Cypriot people, as joint owners of the island, have legitimate and equal rights in the natural resources of the island. It is therefore required to seek the approval Turkish Cypriots before any exploration or drilling activity takes place”, the statement read.
The TRNC Foreign Minister said the best way to contribute towards a just and lasting Cyprus solution would be to ‘freeze hydrocarbon activities around the island’ or to proceed with exploration through a ‘mutually agreed framework’.
“If this approach is not taken, the Turkish Cypriot side, alongside motherland and guarantor Turkey, will take all necessary measures to secure our rights and interests,” the statement read.
BRTK
