Dönmez: “We expect all parties to respect our rights”

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez stated that Turkey expects all regional and global actors to respect seismic exploration and drilling activities that are being carried out on Turkey’s continental shelf.

Dönmez made evaluations on natural gas. Stating that hydrocarbon exploration activities of Turkey in the East Mediterranean disturb some countries, Dönmez said that Turkey continued to take all necessary steps within the framework of the international law in order to protect the rights and interests of the TRNC and Turkey.

Indicating that they continue their activities in line with the country’s rights and interests within the licensed field which has been transferred to Turkish Petroleum by Turkey and the TRNC, Dönmez said: “Those who think that they will harm our exploration activities within our licensed sites by a fait accompli in the Eastern Mediterranean are making a big mistake. It is not possible to accept any statements made regarding the drilling activities carried out in Turkey’s own license areas.”

Emphasising that exploration and drilling activities carried out by “Fatih” and “Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha” vessels are based on legitimate rights within the framework of international law, Dönmez added that reserves in Cyprus belong to both sides and should be shared rightfully as stated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. We expect all regional and global actors to respect seismic exploration and drilling activities that are being carried out on Turkey’s continental shelf.

Underlining that they are aware of the fact that natural resources can play an important role in increasing peace, stability and prosperity, Dönmez said that the conducted politics continue in this regard as well.

Noting that Turkey will continue to defend the rights of the Turkish nation and the TRNC, Dönmez stressed that they will continue to be the guarantee and source of peace instead of conflict in the region (BRT / NTV).