Turkey’s actions and threats against Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore and exploit its hydrocarbon reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) raise a series of questions as to Ankara’s intentions as regards the Cyprus problem, a press release by the Greek Foreign Ministry says.
The press release notes that the Republic of Cyprus, as a sovereign and independent state, exercises its sovereign rights within its EEZ, by starting the second round of confirmatory drilling in Block 12.
The statement, issued by the Spokesman of the Greek Foreign Ministry, Konstantinos Koutras, came as a respond to an announcement of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which questioned Cyprus’ sovereign rights and launched threats against its sovereignty.
Koutras notes that the confirmatory drilling is part of Cyprus’ rights based on international law and the Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is recognized by the entire international community, with the exception of Turkey.
He adds that the announcement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry as a result of the new drilling, and the threats, which the announcement includes, i.e for a two-state solution in Cyprus, raise serious doubts as to the intentions of Turkey to contribute to a comprehensive and mutually agreed solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UNSC resolutions and Cyprus’ status as an EU member state.
Koutras expresses Greece`s support to the Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary General to achieve a solution in Cyprus based on a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation.
He also expresses Greece’s support to Cyprus, which, as he underlines, has the exclusive jurisdiction to grant licenses of exploration and exploitation of its natural resources within its EEZ.
Last Friday the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a press release continuing its provocative rhetoric against the Republic of Cyprus in light of the appraisal drilling activities undertaken by “Noble Energy” in Block 12 of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Cypriot Foreign Ministry stated the hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation activities of the Republic of Cyprus are undertaken in accordance with the international Law and the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea.
It also reaffirmed that, despite the Turkish threats, these activities will be continued and will be carried out as planned.
At the same time, the ministry deemed regrettable the fact that the Turkish Foreign Ministry is using the appraisal drilling activities of “Noble Energy” as a pretext in order to reiterate its position for a two-state solution in Cyprus.
In 2008, Cyprus signed its first hydrocarbon exploration contract with US Noble Energy for offshore block 12. Exploratory drilling conducted by Noble in late 2011 revealed estimated gross mean resources of 7 trillion cubic feet.
On June 7, Noble began drilling at the A-2 appraisal well location in block 12, which will take 60 to 90 days. Apart from Noble Energy, the Republic of Cyprus has also signed contracts with the ENI/KOGAS consortium for hydrocarbons exploration in blocks 2, 3 and 9, as well as with French TOTAL for blocks 10 and 11 in the EEZ.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Repeated UN-led rounds of peace talks have so far failed to bring about a negotiated settlement that would reunite the country. It is expected that talks between the two Cypriot communities will resume in the Autumn.
Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following Nicosia’s decision to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has in the past deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf, while Turkish officials have at various times issued threats against the Republic.
