TEKMOR Note: For a nation that does not allow its own 20 million Kurds to speak even their native language Turkey sure goes out of its way to protect the "rights" of a minority of another country. We predict that exploration activities will resume soon, for two reasons: first, Turkey's arguments have no basis in international law whatsoever; second, Cypriot finds are de-facto EU finds and vital for EU's energy security & diversification strategy.
Cyprus was split into an internationally-recognized Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north in 1974.
The Turkish ministry said the Cyprus government was acting like "the sole owner of the island" and warned it would be responsible for any consequences.
Turkey's foreign ministry has criticized Cyprus for a "unilateral" offshore hydrocarbons search after Turkish warships prevented a rig from reaching an area off Cyprus where it's to start exploratory drilling for gas.
In a statement Sunday, the ministry said Greek Cypriots were disregarding the "inalienable rights on natural resources" of Turkish Cypriots and jeopardizing the region's stability.
Cyprus was split into an internationally-recognized Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north in 1974. The Turkish ministry said the Cyprus government was acting like "the sole owner of the island" and warned it would be responsible for any consequences.
Turkey also urged foreign companies not to support the Cyprus' government's activities.
Italy's ENI, France's TOTAL and ExxonMobil of the U.S. are licensed to search for hydrocarbons off Cyprus' southern coast.
The Turkish ministry said the Cyprus government was acting like "the sole owner of the island" and warned it would be responsible for any consequences.
Turkey's foreign ministry has criticized Cyprus for a "unilateral" offshore hydrocarbons search after Turkish warships prevented a rig from reaching an area off Cyprus where it's to start exploratory drilling for gas.
In a statement Sunday, the ministry said Greek Cypriots were disregarding the "inalienable rights on natural resources" of Turkish Cypriots and jeopardizing the region's stability.
Cyprus was split into an internationally-recognized Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north in 1974. The Turkish ministry said the Cyprus government was acting like "the sole owner of the island" and warned it would be responsible for any consequences.
Turkey also urged foreign companies not to support the Cyprus' government's activities.
Italy's ENI, France's TOTAL and ExxonMobil of the U.S. are licensed to search for hydrocarbons off Cyprus' southern coast.
