Bilgiç: “Hydrocarbon exploration and extraction activities of foreign companies in our maritime jurisdiction is not possible”

The Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Tanju Bilgiç stated that a significant portion of field number 6 which is amongst the so-called tendered licence areas announced by the Greek Cypriot Administration in their third round of international hydrocarbon exploration tender, falls within Turkey’s continental shelf and emphasized, “Hydrocarbon exploration and extraction activities of foreign companies in our maritime jurisdiction is not possible.”

Bilgiç pointed out that in the current intensified negotiation process which aims to establish a lasting and a fair solution in Cyprus, there is a mutual agreement that the island’s natural resources would fall within the jurisdiction of the federal government after a possible settlement.

Bilgiç said, “The Greek Cypriot Administration’s insistence to continue their one-sided initiatives in this area is very concerning, and suggests that they continue to see themselves as the sole owner of the Island. We reiterate that Turkey will take every precaution to protect her rights and interests on her continental shelf.”