Turkish Cypriots propose gas cooperation after tensions rise

Turkish Cypriots have proposed to the Greek Cypriot government that they cooperate in the search for gas off the divided island, Turkey said on Saturday in a Reuters report, after an escalation of tension in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey and the Cyprus government have overlapping claims in the waters off Cyprus, linked to the 45-year-old split of the island and Ankara’s rejection of agreements Cyprus has reached with other Mediterranean states on maritime economic zones.

Turkey told energy firms last year not to carry out exploration work with the Greek Cypriot government and has sent two ships of its own to drill off the island, leading Cyprus to issue arrest warrants and the European Union to warn it could curb contacts and funding for Ankara.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci proposed on Saturday to the Greek Cypriot government that the two sides cooperate in “exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources”, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said.

The proposal, presented through the United Nations, was aimed at creating a cooperation mechanism between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, describing them as co-owners of hydrocarbon resources to which they had equal rights.

Erdogan: ‘We will not allow anyone to deny Turkish Cypriots their rights’

“As such, the proposal envisages cooperation including revenue sharing and enables (the) two sides to benefit from hydrocarbon resources simultaneously,” the ministry said.

If adopted, the proposal would “initiate a new period of cooperation between the two parties,” it added.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief, Greek-inspired coup. Several peacemaking efforts have failed and the discovery of offshore resources in the eastern Mediterranean has complicated the negotiations.

Turkey, which has no diplomatic relations with Cyprus, is the only country which recognises the breakaway state in the north of the island. Cyprus says Turkey’s drilling operations are contrary to international law and that decisions on hydrocarbons are its sovereign right.

Read: Greece, Cyprus pressure EU to act over Turkey gas drilling as Ankara digs in