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TagsTurkey
Navies roam eastern Med
NAVIES from at least three countries are converging on the eastern Mediterranean in the vicinity of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), according to reports yesterday, as Turkey continued talking tough and asserting its geo-strategic interests in the region.The Jerusalem Post said Turkey has deployed gunboats and helicopters to escort its research vessel, the Piri Reis, as it explores for gas and oil. According to the paper, the United States has discreetly dispatched an aircraft, and Russian naval vessels have been seen patrolling.The same report said US reconnaissance planes have circled the Piri Reis on at least two occasions, and on another occasion low-flying Israeli fighter jets and choppers “harassed” a Turkish ship... 10 comments
Speedy gas licences could lack transparency
THE GOVERNMENT will “very soon” proceed with a second round of licensing for offshore gas exploration, officials said yesterday.“Obviously, six months or a year is not soon. Certainly it cannot be allowed to drag on forever,” government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told Sigma television.The administration would make announcements when it had something definite, he added.Previously, Stefanou had said that oil majors including Exxon Mobil and Gazprom have shown a “preliminary interest” in prospecting for natural gas in Cypriot waters.But the government’s apparent quickening of the pace drew skepticism from opposition parties... 3 comments
‘Actions on natural gas could make Turkey look good’
TURKEY now has a “golden opportunity” to prove itself a true peacemaker in the Eastern Mediterranean by respecting the sovereignty rights of all EU member states, through both words and actions, according to Commerce Minister Praxoulla Antoniadou.“A bright horizon of peace, cooperation and economic growth will then open for the area of the Eastern Mediterranean to the benefit not only of the countries and peoples of the area but also to the benefit of our wider European family,” said Antoniadou speaking at an international scientific conference yesterday on “Energy Issues Facing Cyprus,” organised by the Cyprus Institute... 4 comments
EU: Cyprus-Turkey situation potential for problems
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule warned Turkey yesterday to refrain from any action regarding Cyprus, which could negatively affect good neighbourly relations.Fule was speaking on the publication of the annual progress report on Turkey’s accession process. "Regrettably, accession negotiations have not moved forward for more than one year. There are frustrations about this on both sides," said Fule, adding that the EU should work out ways to keep Ankara engaged. “I believe it is time to work for a renewed positive agenda in EU-Turkey relations. To build together on our common strategic interests,” Fule added. ... 11 comments
Turkish-bound flight diverted to Paphos…or was that Tymbou?
A TURKISH-BOUND flight from Amsterdam to Antalya was diverted to Paphos on Sunday due to bad weather in Turkey.But when it was ready to leave Cyprus, Ankara forced the flight to land on the Greek island of Kos before continuing on to Turkey due to its ban on air and sea traffic from the government-controlled areas of Cyprus.The plane, belonging to a company with Dutch-interests, carrying a total of 135 passengers, had requested permission to land in Paphos because of bad weather, Hermes Airport’s spokesman Adamos Aspris said. The plane landed at around 9.15pm and took off at 12.50am (yesterday), Aspris said. ... 9 comments
Turkey-Cyprus spat a sign of conflicts to come?
WITH AN emerging power testing its strength, valuable resources in the balance and a weakened West struggling to exert influence, the dispute between Turkey and Cyprus over gas drilling may be a sign of wider things to come.In Southeast Asia, the Arctic, and perhaps also Africa and Latin America, disputed maritime boundaries may become flashpoints as rising scarcity of energy and other resources coincide with a shift in the geopolitical balance of power.The United States and other Western powers, their relative influence waning, may have to play a subtle diplomatic game to ensure conflict is avoided and important relationships are not jeopardised... 4 comments
Turkey ‘after natural resources’
TURKEY IS not out to protect the interests of Turkish Cypriots but to exploit the natural resources and wealth of neighbouring states, Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis said yesterday. Speaking at an event in Nicosia, Marcoullis said recent threats by Turkey against Cyprus were not based on or supported by any law or argument of substance.“Turkey has no right to doubt the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or continental shelf agreements between the Cyprus Republic and neighbouring states in areas which are neither opposite nor adjacent to the Turkish coastline,” she said... 7 comments
Seismic vessel spotted west of Paphos
ANOTHER SEISMIC vessel, believed to be French-owned and hired by Turkey, was yesterday found close to the Akamas peninsula, moving in straight lines around 50 nautical miles west of the island, it transpired yesterday. The ship was spotted on the website marinetraffic.com, which tracks ships’ positions in real-time based on received Automatic Identification System data. According to the ‘Live Ships’ map on the website, the vessel is the Norwegian-flagged Bergen Surveyor, owned by French-based geophysical services company CGG Veritas. ... 9 comments
Morphou remembers
AN ANTI-OCCUPATION march is one of the various events to be held this month by Morphou municipality, mayor Charalambos Pittas announced yesterday during a news conference.The march will take place on October 9 in Astromeritis with buses provided for anyone who wants to take part. They should register by October 6. Buses will leave Nicosia at 8am from the Hilton hotel parking, Limassol at 7.30am from various points such as the cultural events hall in Pano Polemydia and from Paphos at 7am from Moutallos square. For more information call Agathi Papamichael on 99441216.Other events to take place leading up to the march is an annual blood donation in Nicosia and Limassol on October 5... Read on
Greece and Russia rally behind Cyprus
GREECE AND Russia rallied behind Cyprus yesterday in the island’s rights to explore for hydrocarbons in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and to condemn Turkish threats as the Cyprus Republic turned 51.Greek Minister of National Defence Panos Beglitis, who attended yesterday’s parade, told reporters: “We are in close cooperation with Cyprus’ leadership, we are watching Turkey’s actions very closely, in a composed and decisive manner and I would like once again to denounce statements often made by the Turkish political leadership, as well as the policies followed... 20 comments
