Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has warned energy companies signing agreements for exploration and drilling in Cyprus’ block 6, saying that they will not allow exploration in “their exclusive economic zone.”
In statements made to Milliyet newspaper, the Ministry’s spokesperson Tanju Bilgic said: “The unauthorised hydrocarbon exploration and extraction activities by foreign companies in our maritime jurisdiction is not possible.”
He added that the location of block 6 is an important part of Turkey’s continental shelf, as was stated in a statement in March.
“The Turkish Cypriot side need to be considered an equal partner by the Greek Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriots cannot continue as the sole owner of the island. We are concerned by the unilateral initiatives in this sector. It is illegal for international companies to conduct activities in hydrocarbon exploration in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus,” Bilgic said.
Bilgic also mentioned that all the appropriate preventative actions would be taken.
Cyprus has recently agreed with foreign companies on the third licensing round for hydrocarbon exploration in its EEZ.
Last week Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis said that some companies had backed out of the third licensing round, during statements made to Radio Proto.
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