Turkey slams Cyprus over exploration licence for Exxon, Qatar Petroleum in Mediterranean

Turkey on Thursday accused Cyprus of violating its continental shelf by awarding an exploration licence in the Mediterranean to Exxon Mobil and Qatar Petroleum, adding it will not allow unauthorised exploration in its jurisdiction.

Cyprus said on Thursday that its Council of Ministers had agreed to grant the license to Exxon Mobil and Qatar Petroleum for hydrocarbon exploration in Section 5 of Cyprus’ declared exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which lies south, south-west of the island.

“A part of the licence field in question violates Turkey’s continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Just as before, Turkey will never allow any foreign nation, company or ship to carry out unauthorised hydrocarbon research in its maritime jurisdiction, and it will continue to defend the rights of our country and those of Turkish Cypriots,” it added.