Turkey extends blockade on South Cyprus’s drilling activities in the Mediterranean

Turkey has extended blockades on south Cyprus's drilling activities in the Mediterranean keeping up the pressure on the south regarding its policy on unilaterally searching for gas offshore Cyprus.

By issuing a new Navtex (notice to mariners), Turkey effectively extended a blockade that prevents offshore drilling for natural gas by Italian energy firm ENI inside the South’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The new notice reserves the same area for military training and gunnery exercises from February 22 until March 10. The previous Navtex was due to expire on Thursday.

Two weeks ago Turkey sent warships, to the region saying that they would be participating in military drills in waters off the east of the island, blockading the Saipem 12000 drillship while en route to Cuttlefish, a site in bloc 3 where it was scheduled to drill an exploratory gas well.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot energy minister Ozdil Nami has accused the Greek Cypriots of fuelling tensions through their unilateral activities. The Turkish side could not be expected to “remain patient forever”, he said. The Turkish Cypriots have legitimate claims on all of the island’s offshore blocs, he noted.

A solution to the dispute over hydrocarbons can only be found in the context of a wider political settlement in Cyprus, Nami said.

Cyprus Mail