CYPRUS: Continuing offshore drilling best reply to provocations

Minister of Energy Yiorgos Lakkotrypis has said that the best reply to Turkish provocations in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is to continue its offshore activities.

Consortium ENI – KOGAS are continuing their drilling in block 9 of Cyprus` EEZ in accordance with timetables set, Lakkotrypis said replying to questions in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, adding that the ministry is in touch on a daily basis with the oil & gas company.

He said that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Energy are coordinating fully for matters in their remit or responsibilities.

Both strategic pillars concerning his ministry, that is to say exploratory drilling and how to best exploit natural gas already discovered, are right on track, he added.

He said the drilling is monitored by electronic means, while ministry officials are also present on the platform.

Lakkotrypis also refereed to a British Gas visit in Cyprus, adding that more visits will take place in the coming days.

Turkish seismic exploration vessel `Barbaros` entered Cyprus`s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Monday.

The move comes a few days after Turkey issued a maritime order, or NAVTEX, for the area. This prompted Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades to suspend his participation in the UN backed negotiations which aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.