Oil and gas exploration to start offshore N. Cyprus

By Murat Demirci<br>LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) – Turkish exploration ships will soon begin offshore drilling activities around Cyprus island, the economy and energy minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday.<br>&quot;We will protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots and take the necessary steps on the issue of natural gas, just as we do on other issues,&quot; Ozdil Nami told Anadolu Agency, adding that Turkish actions would remain within the frame of international agreements.<br>Nami added that the TRNC is always ready for energy cooperation with the Greek Cypriot administration.<br>Stressing that TRNC holds claims over hydrocarbon reserves in the vicinity of the eastern Mediterranean island, Nami noted that a UN report as well as statements from the U.S. required both communities’ rights be protected with regard to the use of resources.<br>Nami added that Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiadis' proposal to reserve TRNC’s share of hydrocarbon income in a fund until a solution is found to Cyprus issue was &quot;irrational and illogical.&quot;<br>&quot;Turkey is the easiest, most economical and fastest route in transporting natural gas extracted in the eastern Mediterranean to Europe,” Nami said, underlining Turkey’s &quot;enormous&quot; energy transportation infrastructure.<br>Cyprus was divided into a Turkish Cypriot state in the north and a Greek Cypriot administration in the south after an Enosis-inspired 1974 military coup was followed by violence against the island’s Turkish people, and Turkey’s intervention as a guarantor power.<br>Reunification talks brokered by the UN's Special Envoy on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide were launched in May 2015 to discuss a permanent settlement for the divided Mediterranean island.<br>The status of the island remains unresolved in spite of a series of discussions that resumed in May 2015.<br>Despite the disputed status, the Greek Cypriot administration continued to unilaterally open new tenders for hydrocarbon explorations without any collaboration with the Turkish Cypriots.