Turkey Will Not Allow Gas Exploitation in Its Waters: Erdogan

ISTANBUL – Turkey will not watch other countries exploiting gas reserves in Turkish and north Cypriot waters of the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

President Tayyip Erdogan said addressing a ceremony to mark the delivery of a naval corvette and submarine.

Countries that think can operate in the eastern Mediterranean or Aegean Seas without the agreement of Ankara were mistaken.

“We will not accept attempts to extract natural resources in our country, Cyprus or in the eastern Mediterranean,”

Turkey Will Not Allow Gas Exploitation in Its Waters

There is rising tension between Turkey and Greece. There are attempts to tap resources as the eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas.

Cyprus is rich in natural gas, tensions between Turkey and Greece is rising as there are attempts to tap resources, which has a defense protection pact with the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government.

Turkey and Cyprus both have plans to carry out exploratory drills this year. Both have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction. The vessel leased by ExxonMobil is already on its way to the island to drill for gas.

The scheduled arrival of The Stena IceMax drillship, flying a United Kingdom flag, was on Monday, November 12. Expected boring down into the seabed is to begin on or around November 15, at a location in offshore block 10 dubbed ‘Delfini’.

Turkey Will Not Allow Gas Exploitation in Its Waters: Erdogan

Ankara only has diplomatic relations with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that is not recognized by other countries.

Turkey’s complain last month was denied by Greece and Cyprus blames Turkey of rousing tension. Turkey had said a Greek frigate has harassed a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus.

Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Cyprus Republic in 1960.

The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.