Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Cyprus Accuses Turkey Of Illegal Drilling' In The East Mediterranean

Turkish drilling vessel Yavuz is seen being escorted by a Turkish Navy frigate in the eastern Mediterranean off Cyprus island. August 17, 2020. (Reuters)

Al Jazeera: Cyprus accuses Turkey of expanding 'illegal drilling' in East Med

Ahead of special summit on crisis, Cypriot leader raises alarm as EU chief warns Ankara against intimidating neighbours.

Cyprus has accused Turkey of extending "illegal drilling" in disputed Mediterranean waters but said it is ready to engage in dialogue with Ankara to resolve differences over exploration rights.

On Tuesday, Turkey extended the operations of its Yavuz energy drill ship in the disputed area off Cyprus until October 12, in a move that could stir tension between the island's Greek Cypriot government and Ankara.

"Yesterday, unfortunately a Turkish NAVTEX to expand illegal drilling by the Yavuz vessel was extended when at the same time, a series of initiatives are ongoing that seek an end to Ankara's unlawful actions and de-escalation," President Nicos Anastasiades said on Wednesday, after a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel in Nicosia.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Turkey's relations with Turkish Cypriots are also escalating .... Tensions between Turkey, Turkish Cypriots escalate (Al-Monitor).

More News On Growing Tensions Between Turkey And Cyprus

Turkey extends operations of energy drill ship off Cyprus until mid-October -- Reuters
Turkey extends operations in eastern Mediterranean until mid-October -- TRT World
Turkey extends Navtex for Yavuz drillship in East Med -- Ahval
Cyprus: EU sanctions an option to halt Turkey's gas search -- AP
EU Warns That Ties With Turkey Are at a 'Watershed Moment' -- Bloomberg
Views from the capitals: Gas conflict in the eastern Mediterranean -- European Council on Foreign Relations

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Not surprising. It's human nature. The Turks see China dicking everyone around and strong man Erdogan thinks he can do that too and just start drilling and threatening with war. Humans imitate. Erdogan imitates Xi.. and what do we do with people who start imitating bullies? We make an example of them. Time for the EU to work with the US on this. Erdogan hasn't been a friend and doesn't respect our culture. Just look at what he did to the Hagia Sophia. Even Putin was swearing. It was an insult and meant to be one.