Cyprus: Gas search to continue despite Turkey’s opposition
A search for gas off Cyprus will benefit all the ethnically divided island’s citizens and will continue as planned despite Turkey’s efforts to interfere, the Cypriot president said on the 21st February.
President Nicos Anastasiades said in a statement that any potential wealth generated by new gas finds would be shared equitably with all Cypriot citizens once the island is reunified.
Anastasiades rejected Turkish criticism that the hydrocarbons search disregarded the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots, adding that any gas proceeds would be deposited in a sovereign fund awaiting parliamentary approval.
In 1974, Cyprus was split into a Greek-speaking south — where the island’s internationally recognised government is located — and a Turkish-speaking north when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognises the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence.
Mr Anastasiades repeated an appeal for a resumption of peace talks on condition that Turkey stops obstructing drilling southeast of the island.
Citing naval manoeuvres, Turkish warships have been blocking a rig from reaching a target where Italian company Eni has been scheduled to conduct exploratory drilling since the 8th February.
This week Turkey renewed a notice for more naval manoeuvres in the area.
The rig remains anchored 30 miles from the drilling target. It is unclear whether it will wait out the Turkish manoeuvres or leave.
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has accused Greek Cypriots of acting like the island’s resources belong only to them and said Turkish Cypriots would launch their own gas search in conjunction with Turkey.
US Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Doherty told reporters after meeting with Mr Anastasiades on the 21st February that the United States “feels very strongly” that the Cyprus government has the right to explore and exploit its offshore resources.
Ms Doherty said that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson raised the issue with officials during a visit to Turkey last week.
Source: Penn Energy