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.

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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

EU Issues Warning To Turkey To Stop Drilling Of Cyprus Coast. Cyprus Calls Turkey A 'Pirate State'

Turkish warship patrols near Turkey's drilling ship Fatih in eastern Mediterranean near Cyprus last year (AFP/File photo)

DW: 'Pirate state': Cyprus slams illegal Turkish drilling

Cyprus called Turkey a "pirate state" on Sunday over its attempts to drill for oil and gas off Cypriot waters, one day after the EU issued a warning to Ankara. Turkey, for its part, said the bloc was prejudiced against Turkish Cypriots.

Cyprus, which is has been divided since 1974 into a northern Turkish part and the officially recognized southern Greek part, said Turkey had "provactively ignored" repeated warnings from the European Union to cease its illegal drilling.

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WNU Editor: It is not only the EU that is condemning these Turkish actions. A number of Arab states are also warning Turkey to stop .... Egypt warns against any violations of Cypriot rights: FM spokesperson (Ahram Online). More here .... Saudi Arabia offers ‘full support’ to Cyprus amid Eastern Mediterranean tensions (Arab News).

More News On The Growing Oil-Gas Drilling Dispute Between Cyprus And Turkey

Turkey deploys drill ship off south Cyprus -- Hurriyet Daily News
Cyprus blasts 'pirate state' Turkey's new gas drilling bid -- AP
Cyprus brands Turkey 'pirate state' in gas drilling row -- Middle East Eye
Turkey spars with EU over fresh drilling off Cyprus -- Reuters
EU warns Turkey off Mediterranean gas exploration plans -- Euractive/AFP

Turkey Deploys Military Drones To Northern Cyprus

Al Jazeera: Turkish drone lands on northern Cyprus for energy exploration

Ankara sends drone to accompany drilling vessels, naval forces in eastern Mediterranean in move that could stir tension.

A Turkish drone meant to help seek hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean landed at an airport on the divided island of Cyprus on Monday, a Turkish official said, in a move that could further stoke tensions between Turkey and Greece.

The breakaway Turkish Cypriot cabinet on Friday designated the Gecitkale airport on the island as a base for both unarmed and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the request of the Turkish government, the Demiroren news agency (DHA) said.

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More News On Turkey Deploying Military Drones To Northern Cyprus

Turkey: First military drone lands in Northern Cyprus -- Anadolu Agency
Turkey protects disputed Mediterranean oil and gas drilling with armed drones -- The Times
Turkey sends drone to Turkish northern Cyprus to back up disputed oil and gas exploration -- The Telegraph
Turkey sends armed drone to N.Cyprus amid gas dispute -- AFP
First Turkish armed drone arrives in Cyprus amid gas dispute -- The National
Turkish drone fuels tension over Cyprus gas claims -- BBC
Turkey sends drones to northern Cyprus, makes drilling claims -- Jerusalem Post

EU Prepares 'Targeted' Sanctions On Turkey Over Gas Drilling Off Cyprus

DW: Turkey draws EU ire over oil drilling off Cyprus' coast

Turkey has sent a second ship to search for oil and natural gas in maritime waters that Cyprus claims as its own. The move is set to draw a sharp EU rebuke, though Cyprus has already acted against the first vessel.

Turkey sent a second drilling ship on Thursday into disputed waters off the coast of Cyprus to search for natural gas and oil, a move expected to escalate tension with the European Union.

Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez launched the ship Yavuz from the port of Dilovasi, in the northwest of the country. It was headed to Cyprus' Karpas peninsula, where it will operate a borehole some 3,300 meters (10,827 feet) deep in an area thought to be rich with natural gas.

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More News On The EU Preparing 'Targeted' Sanctions On Turkey

EU prepares 'targeted' sanctions on Turkey over gas drilling -- EU Observer
Turkey could face consequences if it doesn't change tack, says Greece -- Reuters
Turkey sends second ship to drill near Cyprus, EU warns of action -- Reuters

Turkish President Erdogan Warns Cyprus And Drilling Companies To Not Drill In The Eastern Mediterranean

Anadolu Agency: Turkey warns against resources ‘extortion’ in E. Med.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey does not have eye on other countries' rights, laws, territories

Turkey will never allow attempts to "extort" natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

"We will never allow attempts of extorting natural resources in Eastern Mediterranean by excluding us and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," Erdogan said at the delivery ceremony of third ship of MILGEM -- Turkey's first indigenous warship program -- to Turkish Naval Forces in Istanbul.

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WNU Editor: The Turkish support the division of Cyprus, but does not support the Greek Cypriots to explore for energy resources on their side. It looks like someone wants it both ways. And now this .... Turkey to start oil & gas drilling in the Mediterranean (RT).

More News On Turkish President Erdogan Warning Cyprus And Drilling Companies To Not Drill In The Eastern Mediterranean

Erdogan says other countries cannot extract gas in Turkish, N.Cyprus waters -- Reuters
Turkey warns oil companies against drilling near Cyprus -- The Guardian/AFP
Erdogan says other countries cannot extract gas in Turkish, Northern Cyprus waters -- Middle East Monitor
Tensions flare with Turkey as Exxon prepares to drill off Cyprus - analysis -- Ahval

One Month After Chasing Away A Drilling Ship, Turkey To Send Its Own Drill Ship To A Gas Field Claimed By Cyprus

The Guardian: Turkey to send drill ship to contested gas field off Cyprus

President Erdoğan says he will not let natural reserves be exploited by Greek Cypriots.

A showdown over natural gas and oil deposits in the seas off Cyprus is set to intensify, with Turkey announcing it is to send a drilling ship to the region days after the US energy company ExxonMobil dispatched its own survey vessels to the area.

As tensions flare over the potential spoils off the divided island, the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has declared he will not tolerate the prospect of reserves being exploited by Greek Cypriots at a time when his country is engaged in conflicts elsewhere, not least against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

Last month, Turkish warships were ordered to prevent drilling operations by ENI, an Italian energy company commissioned by Cyprus’s government, in what was seen as a brazen act of brinkmanship.

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WNU Editor: One month after threatening to sink a drill ship working for Cyprus .... Turkey Threatens To Sink ENI Drilling Ship Exploring For Oil And Gas Offshore Cyprus (February 23, 2018) ....Turkey is to send its own drill ship to look for gas deposits.  Not surprising .... the EU is not amused .... EU leaders set to condemn Turkey over Cyprus gas blockade (ABC News/AP). More here .... EU leaders condemn Turkish actions in Mediterranean gas standoff (Reuters).

Turkey Threatens To Sink ENI Drilling Ship Exploring For Oil And Gas Offshore Cyprus

The Saipem 12000 off Cyprus for Eni's drilling campaign, December 2017 (social media / Georgios Lakkotrypis)

OilPrice.com: Turkey’s Navy Threatens To Sink Eni Drilling Ship Offshore Cyprus

Turkish Navy vessels threatened on Friday to sink a drilling ship that oil major Eni has hired to explore for oil and gas offshore Cyprus—a divided island whose northern part is run by Turkish Cypriots and is recognized only by Turkey.

According to local media reports, four or five ships of the Turkish Navy tried to prevent Saipem’s 12000 drilling vessel from performing exploration in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus.

Turkey, which recognizes the northern Turkish Cypriot government and doesn’t have diplomatic relations with the internationally recognized government of Cyprus, claims that part of the Cyprus offshore area is under the jurisdiction of Turkish Cypriots or Turkey.

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WNU Editor: The EU is responding .... Turkish Tensions With Cyprus Cause EU to Rethink Erdogan Summit (Bloomberg). More here .... EU warns Turkey after its warships force gas rig to halt (Washington Post).

More News On Turkey Threatening To Sink An ENI Drilling Ship Exploring For Oil And Gas Offshore Cyprus

Cyprus: Turkish warships stopped rig, 'threatened force' -- ABC News/AP
Cyprus accuses Turkey of blocking ship again in gas exploration standoff -- Reuters
Turkish ships threaten to sink Eni's drill vessel -- Kathimerini
Turkey threatens to use force in gas dispute, Cyprus says -- Ahval
Turkish Warships Chase Off Eni's Drillship -- The Maritime Executive
Turkish Warships Threaten To Sink Italian Drillship In Cypriot Waters -- Zero Hedge

Turkish Warships Block Rigs Searching For Natural Gas In Cyprus Waters

Map showing the areas of Cyprus' EEZ claimed by Turkey as part of its continental shelf

Cyprus Mail: Turkish vessels harass drillship in EEZ


Turkish vessels are in the area surrounding Cyprus’ block 3 in the island’s EEZ (exclusive economic zone), it was reported on Friday.

According to government sources quoted by the state broadcaster Cybc, Turkish vessels were harassing the Saipem 12000 drillship shortly before it entered the Cuttlefish plot in block 3.

The area is an exploration target for Italian energy giant ENI.

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Update #1: Turkey slams Cyprus for gas search, blocks rig with warships -- AP
Update #2: Diplomatic steps taken to avoid escalation over drillship -- Cyprus Mail
Update #3: Turkey and the Law of the Sea: some facts -- Cyprus Mail

WNU Editor: Turkey is also disputing the recent Cyprus - Egypt agreement to explore for oil and natural gas south of Cyprus .... Turkey, Egypt Clash Over Gas Exploration Rights in Eastern Mediterranean (Sputnik). More here .... Egypt warns Turkey over eastern Mediterranean economic interests (Reuters).

Turkey Deploys Two Warships And One Submarine To Monitor Oil Drilling Off The Coast Of Cyprus

Cyprus Mail/Reuters: Turkey sends two ships and a submarine to East Med

Turkey has sent two ships and a submarine to monitor a drilling vessel in the eastern Mediterranean, the military said on Thursday, in a move likely to increase tension with Cyprus after reunification talks failed last week.

The drilling work, a contractual obligation between Cyprus and France’s Total, comes a week after the collapse of talks to reunify the divided island nation, split between ethnic Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Ankara has said it will take measures against Cyprus for engaging in gas and oil exploration around the island. It says that hydrocarbon resources in the waters around the divided island should belong to both sides.

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More News On Turkey Deploying Two Warships And One Submarine To Monitor Oil Drilling Off The Coast Of Cyprus

Turkey sends ships and submarine to monitor drilling vessel near Cyprus -- Reuters
Turkish frigate watches Greek Cyprus exploration activities in eastern Mediterranean -- Hurriyet Daily News
Cyprus: Gas drilling on course despite peace talks' failure -- ABC News/AP
Turkey Vows to Respond to French Oil Giant Total's Drilling in Cyprus -- Sputnik
Turkey Escalates Rhetoric on Cyprus Gas Exploration, Threatens Action -- Greek reporter
Greece-Turkey tensions mount over plan to start Cyprus gas drilling -- EURACTIV
Turkey threatens Greek Cypriots with measures over gas drilling -- Kathimerini
Athens in war of words with Ankara over latter's threats against Cyprus drilling -- Kathimerini
More provocations expected from Turkey as Cyprus pushes ahead with energy plans -- Cyprus Mail

The Crisis In Turkey Will Impact Current Talks On Cyprus

Wikitravel

Reuters: War-split Cyprus on edge as Turkey reels in crisis

Turkey's crackdown on government opponents and the imposition of a state of emergency following the abortive military coup last week has tempered hopes of a swift settlement on divided Cyprus.

Nicosia is watching with increasing trepidation how the fallout could hit reunification talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Turkey provides military and financial support to the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in northern Cyprus. The turbulence in Turkey has so far not touched the enclave, home to at least 30,000 Turkish troops since Ankara invaded the island 42 years ago in response to a brief Greek-inspired coup.

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Update #1: UN concerned over Turkey coup attempt impacting Cyprus talks (DW)
Update #2: UN worried Turkey coup bid could hit Cyprus talks (AFP)

WNU Editor: The Turkish Cypriots will not do anything unless it is approved by Turkey .... and right now the Turkish government is focused elsewhere.

Cyprus Breaks Off Peace Talks Over Turkey's Plans To Search For Gas Off The Island's Southern Coast

Greek Cypriots Halt Peace Talks With Turk Cypriots Over Gas Row -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Greek Cypriots suspended peace talks with Turkish Cypriots on Tuesday in protest at what they called attempts by Turkey to undermine gas exploration off the ethnically divided island.

Political party chiefs endorsed a proposal made by President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday to freeze the dialogue between the two sides' leaders, government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said. The talks have been conducted sporadically for decades, without result, while a U.N.-monitored ceasefire continues.

Greek Cypriots, who represent Cyprus's internationally recognized government, say Turkish authorities plan seismic research in seas off the south of the eastern Mediterranean island from Oct. 20. They said this would encroach on their turf in an area authorities have already licensed for gas drilling.

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More News On Cyprus Breaking Off Peace Talks Over Turkey's Plans To Search For Gas Off The Island's Southern Coast

Cyprus president suspends peace talks over Turkey's plans for gas search off island's coast -- AP
Cyprus suspends peace talks over Turkish gas threats -- AFP
Cyprus halts unity talks with Turkey -- Al Jazeera
Cyprus Suspends Peace Talks with Turkey over 'Aggressive' Moves -- Arutz Sheva
Turkish Warship in Cyprus Zone Sends Tensions Soaring -- Arutz Sheva
Turkey moves to assert exploration rights within Cyprus EEZ -- Interfax Energy

My Comment: Block 9 (see above map) is the region where this Turkish seismic vessel is apparently conducting it's seismic research (with a Turkish warship as it's escort). This region is actually closer to Lebanon and Israel than to Turkey .... but I guess the Turks do not care.

Why Israel Will Have Problems Exporting Gas To Cyprus And Turkey

Cyprus Conflict Threatens Israel-Turkey Offshore Gas Trade -- Haaretz

Turkey will refuse to recognize any gas deals that would involve the Greek side of Cyprus.

What might Israel’s offshore gas discoveries have to do with the Cyprus reconciliation talks between Turkey and Greece, which are resuming Tuesday in an effort to resolve the conflict over the island that’s been divided for 40 years?

At a conference six months ago (sponsored by the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv), a representative of Turkey sat next to a Greek Cypriot representative and debated the possibility of Israel exporting its gas to the two neighboring countries, which both desperately want it.

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My Comment: The Greeks and Turks have been enemies for generations. To change this mindset is going to take more than just a cheaper supply of gas.

Update: Why Russia fears Israel's gas bonanza.

Turkey Concerned Over Israel - Cyprus Natural Gas Partnership

Turks ‘Disturbed’ By Israel, Cyprus Natural Gas Ties -- Jerusalem Post

Israel’s decision to partner with Cyprus on gas exploration could further strain tense relations, expert tells 'Post'.

Israel’s decision to become an active partner with Cyprus on issues of natural gas – despite the island nation’s unsolved political disputes with Turkey – has left Ankara “disturbed” by its ally, according to a Turkish expert.

“Turkey feels a little bit disturbed,” Prof. Mitat Celikpala of Kadir Has University in Istanbul told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. “Not betrayed, not put aside, but a little bit disturbed from all those happenings. What we want is to solve the Cyprus issue first, and then we cooperate. There is no question mark.”

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My Comment: Turkey dos not only want the cake .... but to also eat it. A prediction .... both Cyprus and Israel are going to ignore Turkey's concerns.

Turkey Contests A Cypriot-Israeli Accord For Oil And Gas Exploration By Sending In Their Own Ships

Turkish Vessels Embark On Gas Mission In Challenge To Cyprus -- Deutsche Welle

Turkey has sent ships into the Mediterranean on a gas exploration mission in direct response to Cypriot offshore drilling in the region. Turkey says Cyprus should have waited for a settlement on reunification first.

Turkey sent a vessel into the eastern Mediterranean in search of gas stores on Friday, days after it warned Cyprus not to go ahead with its own gas exploration activities in Israeli waters.

Turkey contests a Cypriot-Israeli accord signed last year to create an exclusive economic zone in the waters between them.

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More News On Turkey's Protests Against A Cypriot-Israeli Accord For Gas Exploration

Turkish survey ship sets out for waters off Cyprus -- Reuters
More Cyprus gas exploration maybe in a year-President -- Reuters
Turkey sends oil ship to Cyprus as tension grows -- BBC
Turkey, Cyprus Tensions Rise Over Offshore Gas Exploration -- Eurasia Review
Cyprus promises to share gas benefits with north -- Reuters

Turkey Threatens Cyprus With Gunboat Diplomacy Over Oil/Gas Explorations

Drilling Off Cyprus Will Proceed Despite Warnings From Turkey -- New York Times

ISTANBUL — In the face of menacing warnings from Turkey on Monday, the Greek Cypriot government said it was proceeding with exploratory drilling for oil and gas off the coast of the disputed island.

Turkey called the wells an act of provocation, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a televised statement that Turkish “frigates, gunboats and its air force will constantly monitor developments in the area.” He later added that Turkey would start its own seismic exploration program in the area, the site of major natural gas deposits claimed largely by Israel.

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More News On The Tensions Between Cyprus And Turkey Over Oil/Gas Exploration

In Cyprus, Turkey Raises Stakes Over Oil Drilling -- Wall Street Journal
Turkish gunship threat over gas drilling -- Financial Times
Turks:navy may escort exploration ships off Cyprus -- Reuters
Turkey threatens offshore oil drilling with naval guard -- AFP
Cyprus and Turkey clash over oil and gas drilling -- Scotsman
Cyprus Begins Offshore Drilling Despite Turkish Warnings -- Voice of America
Turkey to Monitor Cyprus’ Offshore Drilling in Mediterranean -- Voice of America

Cyprus govt says Noble has started drilling work -- Reuters
Cyprus begins controversial oil and gas drilling -- BBC
Cyprus says offshore drilling for gas has begun -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Cyprus: 1st undersea drilling results in 2 months -- Boston.com/AP
EU Commission wants Turkey, Cyprus to show restraint -- Reuters
U.S. Respect Cyprus’s Right to Drill, Cypriot Official Says -- Bloomberg
US supports Cyprus right to explore for energy -- AFP