Nothing can be done in Eastern Mediterranean, without the consent of North Cyprus - Erdogan

Nothing can be done in the Mediterranean without the consent of Turkey and the ‘TRNC’, said Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan made the comments to reporters during a flight on Saturday, as part of his trip to Africa.

Without the consent of the TRNC and Turkey, a step cannot be taken in the area of the Eastern Mediterranean, said Erdogan, referring to the issue with ENI’s Saipem 12000 drillship, which was blocked from drilling in the Cuttlefish field in block 3 of the Cypriot EEZ by Turkish naval ships.

He added that France’s TOTAL and the US’s ExxonMobil might also want to explore in the area, an issue which he had discussed with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. 

Regarding any further explorations, Erdogan said,

We will not allow the violation of the TRNC’s and Turkey’s rights, which are based on international law.

Erdogan noted that Macron had asked him to take a softer line when it comes to Cyprus and its EEZ. 

He wants our stance to be milder on the issue of Cyprus and its EEZ and I told him that we are acting within the framework of international law, said Erdogan.

He added that in Cyprus both the “north and south have the rights to the oil and natural gas that will be found” and noted that Turkey will not accept the unilateral actions of some and that if Greek Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades wants to be honest then he should clarify the negotiations with the north and with whom he wants to conduct the research activities.

Drilling must be done together and the product that will be exploited must be shared,” Erdogan said.

Asked if Turkey’s own drillship will conduct research in the Mediterranean soon, the Turkish President said, “Of course it will,” noting that it is the reason the country bought the ship, which “annoyed the Greek Cypriots.”