Greek Cypriots move to open up 11 offshore blocks for E&P, fuelling tension with Turkey
27th November
Recent oil and gas exploration by Cyprus has been met with anger by Turkey. Turkish and Cypriot leaders met on September 11th for direct talks about the future of the divided island, but the two countries, at odds since 1974, seem once again to be on the verge of a stalemate.
So far the Cypriot government has put 11 offshore blocks south and south east of the island up for bidding. A licensing round has already taken place, with a second planned for June 2009
However, on 13 November and again on 24 November, two Panamanian flagged ships carrying out surveys for the Greek Cypriot government were forced by a Turkish warship “to cease their operations and withdraw within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus, under fear for the lives of their crews and the integrity of the ships,” according to Cypriot President Demetris Christofias.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, Christofias claimed that the ships were 44km off the southern Cypriot coast, operating within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974. Although reunification talks have recently restarted after a 4 year delay, Turkey claims that Cyprus’ exploration activities pose a threat to the talks. Cyprus maintains that it is operating within the maritime zone guaranteed by international convention, and that it is its sovereign right to explore for oil and gas.
Although Turkish-Cypriot relations are historically bad, oil is a more serious issue than other problems, as Turkey does not want Greek Cypriots to claim all the benefits of exploration.
Recent oil and gas exploration by Cyprus has been met with anger by Turkey. Turkish and Cypriot leaders met on September 11th for direct talks about the future of the divided island, but the two countries, at odds since 1974, seem once again to be on the verge of a stalemate.
So far the Cypriot government has put 11 offshore blocks south and south east of the island up for bidding. A licensing round has already taken place, with a second planned for June 2009
However, on 13 November and again on 24 November, two Panamanian flagged ships carrying out surveys for the Greek Cypriot government were forced by a Turkish warship “to cease their operations and withdraw within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus, under fear for the lives of their crews and the integrity of the ships,” according to Cypriot President Demetris Christofias.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, Christofias claimed that the ships were 44km off the southern Cypriot coast, operating within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974. Although reunification talks have recently restarted after a 4 year delay, Turkey claims that Cyprus’ exploration activities pose a threat to the talks. Cyprus maintains that it is operating within the maritime zone guaranteed by international convention, and that it is its sovereign right to explore for oil and gas.
Although Turkish-Cypriot relations are historically bad, oil is a more serious issue than other problems, as Turkey does not want Greek Cypriots to claim all the benefits of exploration.