Turkey to take measures against Cyprus’ gas exploration, as United Nations expressed concern

Turkey has said it will take measures against Greek Cypriot exploration for oil or gas around the Mediterranean island, adding that Turkish Cypriots also have rights on the oil reserves.

Turkey’s energy and foreign ministries are working together to plan steps against the Greek side’s “unilateral” steps, said Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday.

According to him, sending a drilling vessel in the so called Exclusive Economic Zone of South Cyprus, showed Greek side’s “insincerity” about reunification talks that failed last week.

Greek Cypriot energy ministry on Wednesday said, the ‘West Capella’ drilling vessel contracted by France’s Total and Italy’s ENI moved into position to start exploring for gas off Cyprus on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the United Nations has expressed concern regarding the drilling activities around Cyprus and according to the Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric, the UN did not want to see any incident in the region.

The UN does not want to see any incident and worried about ongoing tension in the region, Dujarric said.