Cyprus says it will continue exploration for gas in eastern Mediterranean, pushes back Turkey

NICOSIA, Dec. 3 (Reuters) – Cyprus on Friday dismissed claims it violated Turkey’s continental shelf by awarding a Mediterranean exploration license to Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) and Qatar Petroleum [RIC:RIC:QATPE.UL], saying it was in his sovereign rights.

Turkey on Thursday accused Cyprus of violating its continental shelf by granting an exploration license to the two companies, saying it would not allow unauthorized exploration in its jurisdiction. Read more

For decades, Turkey has been at odds with Greece and Cyprus over competing territorial claims in the eastern Mediterranean, airspace, energy, the status of certain Aegean islands and the island. ethnically divided from Cyprus.

The Cypriot cabinet announced Thursday that it will grant a license to Exxon Mobil and Qatar Petroleum to explore for hydrocarbons in a section of the declared exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus, which lies to the south, southwest of the island.

The island is located just south of Turkey.

Turkey’s foreign ministry said the move violated its continental shelf in the eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus has declared that the area in question is part of the island’s continental shelf.

“Turkey willfully fails, once again, to comply with international law, making baseless claims and ignoring the position of the international community which fully supports the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus on its own … continental shelf, “he added. the ministry said in a statement.

“The Republic of Cyprus will resolutely pursue its policy in the field of hydrocarbons, with full respect for international and European law.

Cyprus was divided by a 1974 Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Ankara does not have diplomatic relations with an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government in Nicosia, but supports a separatist Turkish Cypriot state in northern Cyprus.

Reporting by Michele Kambas; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise

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