The EU has threatened Turkey with sanctions for oil and gas drilling off the coast of Cyprus. Yesterday, EU leaders again condemned Turkey’s „continued illegal behavior“ in the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, as stated in the statement of the EU summit.
They were „extremely worried“ about the drilling and warned that this could have „serious, immediate negative consequences“ for relations with the EU.
The summit called on Turkey to „exercise restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus and refrain from such measures“. The heads of state and government also supported the mission to the EU Commission to „immediately present options for appropriate measures“ against behavior.
Turkey started test drilling
The Cyprus government has since the discovery of large gas fields off the coast of the island with foreign companies such as Eni from Italy, Total from France and ExxonMobil from the United States contracts for exploration of the deposits closed. Turkey, however, rejects the exploitation of gas resources in the region unless the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus participates in it.
Turkey had started test drilling this year in the controversial gas fields. According to Ankara, drilling will be carried out in accordance with international law in its continental shelf.
The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 into a Greek south and a Turkish north. At that time, the Turkish army had occupied the northern part of the island after a military coup by the Greek Cypriots. However, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognized by Ankara.
