Nicosia is accused by Ankara of being responsible for tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, on the occasion of the issuance of a hydrocarbon exploration permit on a plot of land in the Cyprus EEZ, claiming once again that it concerns a Turkish continental shelf.
In a statement on Friday, Tanzu Bilgic, a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, said that "the news that the" Greek Cypriot Administration "(Republic of Cyprus), ignoring our rights and the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, gave permission for a gas exploration to the Ex "Qatar Petroleum on plot 5, which it announced unilaterally, shows once again who is really in favor of the tension in the eastern Mediterranean."
The Turkish spokesman claimed that "a part of the area where the permit has been issued violates the Turkish continental shelf in the eastern Mediterranean. "On the other hand, this unilateral move ignores the rights of the Turkish Cypriots who are co-owners of the island."
Mr Bilgic reiterated that "Turkey will not allow any foreign country, company or ship to carry out hydrocarbon exploration activities without a license in its maritime jurisdiction, and will not give such an opportunity. "he will continue to resolutely defend the rights of our country and the" TRNC "," he said, referring to the occupied territories of Cyprus.
kathimerini.com.cy