Middle East Monitor: US warns Turkey over offshore drilling near Cyprus

There are rules in exploring energy resources in the Mediterranean Sea, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Saturday, warning Turkey not to engage in drilling activity that is “illegal” and “unacceptable”.

“We’ve made clear that operations in international waters are governed by a set of rules. We’ve told the Turks that illegal drilling is unacceptable and we’ll continue to take diplomatic actions to … ensure that lawful activity takes place,” he said during a visit to Greece.

“No country can hold Europe hostage,” Pompeo told a press briefing.

Tensions between Cyprus and Turkey over offshore drilling have intensified after Ankara sent a drilling ship to an area already licensed by Nicosia to Italian and French energy companies.

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Update #1: U.S. warns Turkey over offshore drilling near Cyprus (Reuters)
Update #2: Pompeo condemns Turkey over 'unacceptable' gas drilling in Cypriot waters (Euronews)

WNU Editor: The EU is also getting involved in this dispute .... EU, Cyprus mull ‘targeted measures’ over Turkish drilling in southwest Cyprus (Ahval).