Cyprus issues anti-Navtex as Turkey announces exercises off north

Cypriot authorities have dismissed as illegal gunnery exercises planned for next week by the Turkish navy in waters in the north of the island.

Under a Navtex – or marine advisory – issued by Turkey, the exercises will take place on November 3 and 4. According to state broadaster CyBC, the drills’ designated areas are around Cape Apostolos Andreas off the Karpas peninsula, and in waters off Famagusta.

Cypriot authorities countered by issuing a navigational warning of their own, advising ships to disregard the “illegal” Turkish advisory.

Meantime the Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis continues to conduct seismic surveys in waters north of the island. The surveys will last until December 16.

Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has announced more exploratory drilling for natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking on CNN Turk, Cavusoglu said that Ankara will “not abandon its rights,” and that their drilling platforms would be moved from the Black Sea into the Mediterranean.