Cyprus-Forum.com

[Capt J Sparrow]

Turkish oil exploration ship sets out to contest Cyprus drill rights

A TURKISH oil exploration vessel left the Aegean port of Izmir yesterday to carry out surveys off northern Cyprus as part of Turkey’s pledge to question Cyprus’ rights over hydrocarbon deposits in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

According to Reuters, there was no sign of a Turkish naval escort for the Piri Reis and its 10 crew as the vessel set out, although Energy Minister Taner Yildiz had raised the possibility of such a security measure earlier this week.

However, Turkish daily Aksam reported yesterday that three Turkish navy frigates Salih Reis, Sokullu Mehmet Pasa and Oncu also left from Izmir port with the aim of acting as a hindrance to any drilling in areas that Turkey claims lie in its own territorial waters or those of the breakaway state in the north.

According to the paper, one frigate will sit six miles from Cyprus, which should be visible from the island’s western city of Paphos while the other two will patrol the area. Three submarines also reportedly sailed Thursday morning from Golcuk naval base.

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/turki ... s/20110924