Cyprus-Forum.com

[Lit]

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_ar ... 009_107624

The announcement by the US ambassador in Nicosia this week regarding the launch of oil and gas exploration off the coast of Cyprus by an American firm has sparked an angry response from Turkish officials and, in turn, stern words from authorities in Nicosia.

Responding to comments by Ambassador to Cyprus Frank Urbancic on Tuesday, Turkish officials were quoted in Turkey’s daily Hurriyet yesterday as saying, “Our fleet is there – we cannot allow this to happen even if it is a US company.” The comments came after Urbancic revealed that an American company was preparing to prospect for oil off the divided island. “US investments in Cyprus amount to more than $379 million. This figure will soon increase substantially as an American energy firm begins exploring for oil and gas off Cyprus’s southwest coast,” Urbancic was quoted as saying in Turkey’s Zaman newspaper. The company was not named but is believed to be a big player in the oil and gas market to be trying to access oil deposits at a depth of more than 2,500 meters below sea level.

Officials in Nicosia yesterday sought to put the Turks in their place. “The mineral wealth belongs to the Republic of Cyprus and no one else,” said Cypriot Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalidis. “If the Cyprus problem was solved tomorrow, the Turkish Cypriots would also be in a position to benefit,” Paschalidis added.

Meanwhile, diplomats in Athens noted that any attempt by Turkey to obstruct the scheduled exploration by the US firm would provoke a face-off with Washington and would create problems for the launch of talks between officials in Brussels and European Union candidate Turkey on the energy sector.

Turkey has actively opposed oil exploration off Cyprus since authorities in Nicosia expressed their intention to exploit the island’s underwater mineral wealth two years ago. In December, Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou said that a dispute over offshore oil exploration was damaging Turkey’s efforts to join the EU. Nicosia has accused Turkey of harassing hydrocarbon research vessels four times since November 13.

[Lit]

http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/main/92, ... ,951-.aspx

Govt dismisses Turk threats on oil exploration

NICOSIA - The government dismissed on Friday Turkish threats it will block oil exploration in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said ''the entire international community should look into the issue, because there are international laws, agreements, there is an order, which everybody should respect, with no exemption”.
The Republic of Cyprus, he added, has every right to exercise its sovereign rights.

Turkey’s threats came shortly after US ambassador to Nicosia Frank Urbancic announced a Texas-based company would begin oil explorations in Cyprus shortly.

[Lit]

http://www.cna.org.cy/website/english/a ... 2.asp?id=1

STEPHANOU – ECZ – TURKEY

The exploration and the exploitation of Cyprus’ wealth is the state’s sovereign right, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has stressed.

Invited Friday to comment on Turkish threats to block hydrocarbon exploration in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, Stephanou pointed out that ``the entire international community should look into the issue, because there are international laws, agreements, there is an order, which everybody should respect, with no exemption”.

The Republic of Cyprus, he went on to add, will do whatever it believes is to the benefit of its vital interests.

“The Republic of Cyprus exercises its sovereign rights. If some do not want to act in line with international law and behave in a way which is provocative to Cyprus and the international community as well, it is up to everybody to judge for himself,” he said.

Asked whether the Republic of Cyprus has protested to the EU about the Turkish threats, he said: “how we shall act is an issue which we will not discuss at present. I reiterate that the Republic, in the framework of international legality, asserts and protects its rights and acts accordingly”.

“The international community as well as the EU – since Turkey aspires to join the Union - must look into this issue,” he noted.

Replying to a question, the Spokesman said that the exploration of hydrocarbon reserves is irrelevant with the ongoing negotiations which began between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

``The exploration is Cyprus’ sovereign right”, he noted, adding that when the Cyprus problem is solved and Cyprus is reunified all will benefit from any possible reserves may be found.

He recalled that Cypriot President Demetris Christofias had sent a letter of protest to the UN Secretary General and the European Commission President regarding Turkish harassment against ships which were conducting exploration surveys in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

``We defend the rights of the Republic of Cyprus. It’s others who act against the law”, he concluded.

[Lit]

http://www.financialmirror.com/News/Cyp ... News/15677

The exploration and the exploitation of Cyprus’ wealth is the state’s sovereign right, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has stressed.

Invited Friday to comment on Turkish threats to block hydrocarbon exploration in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, Stephanou pointed out that ''the entire international community should look into the issue, because there are international laws, agreements, there is an order, which everybody should respect, with no exemption”.

The Republic of Cyprus, he went on to add, will do whatever it believes is to the benefit of its vital interests.

“The Republic of Cyprus exercises its sovereign rights. If some do not want to act in line with international law and behave in a way which is provocative to Cyprus and the international community as well, it is up to everybody to judge for himself,” he said.

Asked whether the Republic of Cyprus has protested to the EU about the Turkish threats, he said: “how we shall act is an issue which we will not discuss at present. I reiterate that the Republic, in the framework of international legality, asserts and protects its rights and acts accordingly”.

“The international community as well as the EU – since Turkey aspires to join the Union - must look into this issue,” he noted.

Replying to a question, the Spokesman said that the exploration of hydrocarbon reserves is irrelevant with the ongoing negotiations which began between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

''The exploration is Cyprus’ sovereign right”, he noted, adding that when the Cyprus problem is solved and Cyprus is reunified all will benefit from any possible reserves may be found.

He recalled that Cypriot President Demetris Christofias had sent a letter of protest to the UN Secretary General and the European Commission President regarding Turkish harassment against ships which were conducting exploration surveys in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

''We defend the rights of the Republic of Cyprus. It’s others who act against the law”, he concluded.

[paliometoxo]

hahah asuck it turkey u wanted ur two states nwo complaining when gcs take formt he south.. they cant have ti both ways they stay the F away the bastards

[-mikkie2-]

This is a very shewed move.

From what I remember, US companies did not seem to hold out much interest at the time of the tender process Perhaps after the Norwegian seismic vessel finished its work, they had indeed found big reserves deep underground and that may have sparked interest from the US.

Poiltically, it puts pressure on Turkey to be less hardline in what it wants as a solution. I very much doubt Turkish warships will try to stop a US vessel. This would be a huge diplomatic mistake on the part of Turkey. This also fits in with having energy diversity for the West so that it is not reliant on just one or two supply routes. Unfortunately, having Turkey as an energy hub does not fit in with supply diversity. On the other hand, if there are big reserves off the coast of Cyprus then Cyprus itself could become an energy supplier supplying the EU and the US directly. This would be a very attractive proposition.

We shall see what transpires. If hydrocarbons are found in huge quantities it will be interesting how Turkey will react then.

[Cap]

lol @ Turkey. The worlds largest under achieving nation barking orders. The irony is hilarious.

[Oracle]

Turkey wouldn't be sticking its neck out to object if it did not believe, strongly, that Oil reserves are available to the Cypriots.

How will Turkey do a climb-down over this now, as the US exploratory vessels are probably going in for Phase 2?

[Cap]

Turkey wouldn't be sticking its neck out to object if it did not believe, strongly, that Oil reserves are available to the Cypriots.

How will Turkey do a climb-down over this now, as the US exploratory vessels are probably going in for Phase 2?

Exactly! and BTW.. where's that sexy eye avatar, twas your trademark Oracle.

[Lit]

This is a very shewed move.

From what I remember, US companies did not seem to hold out much interest at the time of the tender process Perhaps after the Norwegian seismic vessel finished its work, they had indeed found big reserves deep underground and that may have sparked interest from the US.

Poiltically, it puts pressure on Turkey to be less hardline in what it wants as a solution. I very much doubt Turkish warships will try to stop a US vessel. This would be a huge diplomatic mistake on the part of Turkey. This also fits in with having energy diversity for the West so that it is not reliant on just one or two supply routes. Unfortunately, having Turkey as an energy hub does not fit in with supply diversity. On the other hand, if there are big reserves off the coast of Cyprus then Cyprus itself could become an energy supplier supplying the EU and the US directly. This would be a very attractive proposition.

We shall see what transpires. If hydrocarbons are found in huge quantities it will be interesting how Turkey will react then.

Well, Turkey has harassed research vessels on many occasions off the the coast of the RoC. So i believe tensions are inevitable but i cant see Turkey stopping a US vessel either.