Turkey has again reiterated its objections to Cyprus planning to explore for natural gas and oil reserves off the island, citing what it said is disregard for the rights of Turks who unlawfully occupy the northern third of the country after a 1974 invasion.
According to a statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Friday: “It is understood that the Greek Cypriot government has recently started second drilling activities to search for hydrocarbon reserves in its so-called exclusive economic zone known as Parcel 12. This activity is the continuation of Greek Cyprus’ irresponsible, provocative and unilateral moves in the region in disregarding the rights of North Cypriot Turks on these reserves.”
The ministry in March issued a statement regarding the energy row, stressing that a two-state solution was an option if the Greek side wasn’t willing to cooperate with the Turkish Cypriots in the north.
The only solution according to the Turkish Cypriots, was the establishment of a committee of both Turkish and Greek Cypriots representatives, along with the United Nations, over the determination on how the hydrocarbon reserves of the island should be used.