Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Turkey continues gas exploration despite Greek Cyprus threat to block EU talks

ANKARA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkey is continuing its seismic surveys off the Cyprus Island, despite opposition from Greek Cypriots, who have threatened to block Ankara's ongoing European Union (EU) accession talks, demanding Turkey halt its gas exploration activities in the disputed region, local Hurriyet Daily News reported on Wednesday.
"The Turkish ship Barbaros will continue seismic studies off the Cyprus coast," Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters on Tuesday after meeting Energy Minister Taner Yildiz.
"Necessary measures are taken to protect the Barbaros ship. Nobody should try to create a crisis," Davutoglu said. "We have the right to conduct seismic studies derived from agreements signed between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We will always use this right."
"Turkish Cypriots have rights in entire continental shelf and in economic zone of the Cyprus Island, as much as Greek Cypriots have," Davutoglu said, adding that everyone should accept "reality of this international law."
Turkey's controversial move, sending an oil and gas exploration ship to the region, came after Greek Cypriots licensed exploratory drills in the same economic zone.
Ankara argues that Greek Cypriots should not take individual steps over the natural resources of the disputed island until the two sides agree on a comprehensive solution for reunification.
The Greek Cypriot administration's spokesperson, Nicos Christodoulides, said on Tuesday that Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades could submit a complaint against Turkey to EU leaders during next week's Council of Europe meeting in a move to halt the country's EU membership process.
Turkey has been negotiating its EU accession but progress has been slow because of its dispute with Cyprus, which has already blocked eight of the 35 negotiating chapters.
Anastasiades suspended talks for reunification of the island in early October after Turkey announced it would explore gas off the Cyprus.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied the northern part of the island following a coup by Greek army junta officers. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared in November 1983, but it is recognized only by Turkey.

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