Turkish Cypriot top official slams EU on drill reaction

LEFKOSA

The Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister on Tuesday criticized the EU’s reaction to the exploration and research activities by Turkey’s drill ships in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ersin Tatar said in a written statement that from the beginning the EU has been taking a pro-Greek stance, leading the Cyprus issue into an even worse stalemate.

On Monday outgoing EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, "Turkey’s declared intention to illegally conduct a new drilling operation northeast of Cyprus is of grave concern," adding that the second planned drilling operation is a "further unacceptable escalation which violates the sovereignty of Cyprus."

Since this spring Ankara has sent two drill ships -- Fatih and Yavuz -- to the Eastern Mediterranean, asserting the right of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to the resources of the region.

Tatar said the TRNC protests the EU's reaction to the drilling activities since the Yavuz is carrying out its activities with a license the TRNC provided to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation.

He also stressed that the TRNC as well as Turkey have the right to the hydrocarbon resources of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey and TRNC will continue their drilling activities, just like the Greek Cypriot side, Tatar said, adding: "This is the right way and there is no turning back."

The Turkish-flagged drillship Fatih launched offshore drilling operations this May in an area 75 kilometers (42 nautical miles) off the western coast of the island of Cyprus.

Athens and Southern Cyprus have opposed the move, threatening to arrest the ships’ crews and enlisting EU leaders to join their criticism.

Turkey has consistently contested the Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that the TRNC also has rights to the resources in the area.

In 1974, following a coup aiming at Cyprus's annexation by Greece, Ankara intervened as a guarantor power. In 1983, the TRNC was founded.

* Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev