Europe warns Turkey against natural gas mission near Greece - DW

24.07.2020

European officials on Thursday warned Turkey against pursuing a survey mission looking for gas reserves near Greek islands in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greece and Cyprus have accused Turkey of undermining their sovereignty by continuing to pursue energy resources within their territorial waters.

"The government is underlining to all parties that Greece will not accept a violation of its sovereignty and will do whatever is necessary to defend its sovereign rights," said Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for sanctions against Turkey, saying it is "not acceptable for the maritime space of a European Union member state to be violated or threatened."

Last year, the EU adopted a sanctions regime targeting Turkey over its unauthorized gas drilling in Cypriot waters.

EU imposes sanctions on Turkish energy officials - KATHIMERINI

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2020 - 21:47

The European Union has imposed sanctions on two high-ranking officials from the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) in connection with Turkey's illegal drilling activities in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, it emerged on Thursday.

The restrictive measures to be imposed on Mehmet Ferruh Akalin and Ali Coscun Namoglu consist of a ban on travel to the EU and an asset freeze, the Cyprus Mail reported. Moreover, EU persons and entities are not permitted to make funds available to the two individuals, it said.

The decision was made public on Thursday in the EU’s Official Journal which referred to Akalin as Vice-President and member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and head of TPAO’s exploration, research and development and information technologies departments and to Namoglu as TPAO’s deputy director of exploration involved in planning and overseeing TPAO’s offshore hydrocarbon exploration activities.

Turkey's illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean: Council adopts framework for sanctions - COUNCIL OF THE EU

11 November 2019, 12:05

Today, the Council adopted a framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey's unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The framework will make it possible to sanction individuals or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The sanctions will consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities. In addition, EU persons and entities will be forbidden from making funds available to those listed.

The framework for restrictive measures makes it possible to place under sanctions:

US urges Turkey to seize all activity in Cyprus’ EEZ - KATHIMERINI

Foreign Minister Christodoulides (L) & Secretary of State Pompeo

20.08.2019 : 10:48

The US State Department on Tuesday called on Turkish authorities to cease immediately any “unlawful activities” in Cyprus’ territorial sea and remove its drillship, Yavuz.

Turkey has already established a presence in the region with its Yavuz and Fatih drillships and the Barbaros research vessel.

On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that a fourth Turkish ship, the Oruc Reis research vessel, is on its way to the region.

“This provocative step raises tensions,” the State Department said responding to questions from Hellas Journal and Cyprus News Agency, adding that only Cyprus, acting through its government, can consent to activities such as drilling within its territorial sea.

It also said that resource development in Eastern Mediterranean should promote cooperation, provide foundation for durable energy security and economic prosperity.

U.S. says Turkey's exploration attempt in Cypriot waters discussed at Egypt gas forum - NASDAQ / REUTERS

Rick Perry meeting his Egyptian counterpart Tarek El-Molla 

July 25, 2019, 12:34:00 PM EDT

Cairo, July 25 (Reuters) - U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry told reporters on Thursday that countries participating in a gas forum in Egypt have discussed Turkey's exploration attempt in Cypriot territorial waters.

Perry, who was speaking on the sidelines of The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum in Cairo, did not elaborate. The United Sates participates in the forum as an observer.

EU member Cyprus has discovered natural gas in areas off the south of the island, though nothing has been extracted. Turkey disputes the rights of Cyprus to explore for gas, sending drill ships of its own to stake a claim around the island.

Nicosia rejects the claim, saying that the assertion is not only inconsistent with international law, but that Turkey would not accept any international dispute settlement mechanism where its claims could be put to the test.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Several peacemaking efforts have failed and the discovery of offshore resources has complicated the negotiations.

Turkey’s “Fatih” drillship left without support after international companies withdraw - IN CYPRUS

July 23, 2019 at 11:34am
JONATHAN SHKURKO

Turkey’s drillship “Fatih”, currently located west of Paphos, was left without the specialised technical support necessary to conduct its operations, following the complete withdrawal of the last two international companies that had remained partly in support of its illegal activities.

According to Philelefteros sources, the last two specialized companies left on Friday, whereas other international companies decided to withdraw their support as soon as “Faith” started its illegal drilling operations.

The two companies had already recalled the majority of their staff from the operation, especially those who held European citizenship.