ENERGY: US, UK, Egypt rally to defend Cyprus against Turkish drilling bid

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Washington said Turkey dispatching a second ship to conduct drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ is a "provocative step" while urging Ankara to halt operations.


"The United States remains deeply concerned by Turkey’s repeated attempts to conduct drilling operations in the waters off Cyprus and its most recent dispatch of the drillship Yavuz off the Karpas Peninsula," US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a written statement.

"This provocative step raises tensions in the region," she added.

"We urge Turkish authorities to halt these operations and encourage all parties to act with restraint and refrain from actions that increase tensions in the region.”

Washington argues that energy resource development in the Eastern Mediterranean should “foster cooperation, increase dialogue between the two communities and among regional neighbours, and provide a foundation for durable energy security and economic prosperity”.

"We continue to believe the island’s oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between both communities in the context of an overall settlement," Ortagus said.

Since May 4, the Turkish drill ship “Fatih” is in an area that falls within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus.

A second Turkish drill ship, “Yavuz”, arrived off the island’s north-eastern coast this week. 

Turkey has issued NAVTEX 765/19, according to which Yavuz will drill until September 30 with the help of three supporting vessels

London said it opposes Turkish drilling plans off Cyprus and called for a de-escalation so dialogue can prevail.

A British High Commission spokesperson told CNA the UK has repeatedly expressed opposition to Turkish drilling plans in the waters around Cyprus and “this includes drilling off the northeast coast of Cyprus”.

“We believe it is critical for stability in the Mediterranean and for the integrity of the rules-based international system that disputes such as this are resolved, not through force, militarisation or coercion, but through dialogue and in accordance with international law,” the spokesperson said.

“We continue to recognise the sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus to exploit the oil and gas in its internationally agreed Exclusive Economic Zone,” the BHC spokesperson added.

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has strongly condemned Turkey’s new attempt to illegally conduct drilling operations in the east of Cyprus, close to the Karpas peninsula.

Egypt has also expressed concern over Turkey’s announced intention to drill in Cyprus waters.

A statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said, “this represents a continuation of unilateral measures that serve to increase tension in the Eastern Mediterranean region.”

The statement also stresses the necessity of “avoiding escalation and committing to the respect and implementation of the rules and provisions stipulated by international law.”