Turkey ‘to explore hydrocarbon resources in EEZ over Libya deal’

Turkish authorities have made parceling of the economic zone in the eastern Mediterranean under a deal sealed with Libya, and Ankara is getting ready for drilling activities in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on June 3.

Turkey's position in the eastern Mediterranean and the deals made with Libya has two objectives, the minister said in an interview with private broadcaster 24 TV.

"Firstly, to preserve the rights of Turkish Cypriots and secondly to protect our interests in our continental shelf," he said, emphasizing the maritime boundary delimitation agreement with Libya aims this.
Turkey aims for cooperation with others in the eastern Mediterranean, the minister also underlined. Turkish and Greek Cypriots should first agree to reach this understanding of cooperation, Çavuşoğlu stated.

The minister recalled that the maritime delimitation area on the side of Turkey is subject to the current plans of drillings activities and the coordinates of this area respect six miles distance from the Greek Islands.

On Ankara's drilling vessels working in the eastern Mediterranean, the minister said Turkish activities in the region are in line with international law.

Çavuşoğlu also stressed that any agreement on the eastern Mediterranean without Turkish participation would be "null and void" and Ankara would not allow any fait accompli.

"They tried to exclude us. We're saying that no deal and cooperation will be valid and will yield no result if Turkey is not included," he said.

Turkey may begin oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean within three or four months under a deal it signed with Libya that was condemned by others in the region including Greece, Energy Minister Fatih...