First results from drilling in Mediterranean expected soon: Turkish Minister

ISTANBUL

Turkey is about to obtain results from drilling activities for resources carried out by the Fatih vessel in the Mediterranean Sea, Energy and National Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez has said.

“Within one to two weeks, we will reach 5,500 meters of depth, so that we will have the information on whether or not there is natural gas in the area,” he added.

Sönmez added that a second vessel has arrived in the shipyard where it will receive some maintaining work.

“Our drilling activities will continue with two vessels,” he added.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı said they will not wait with “hands tied” if their calls for cooperation are not responded to positively regarding resources in the eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency before his meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades on Feb. 26, Akıncı urged Greek Cypriots to cooperate.

Akıncı said Greek Cypriots should adopt a cooperative approach instead of taking unilateral steps regarding resources in the eastern Mediterranean.

“If all these calls by us are left unanswered, we will not just wait with hands and feet tied,” he said.

Akıncı said no Turkish Cypriot leader will accept the Turks of the island to be a minority.

He added that he does not expect talks before the month of June.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island’s Turks and Ankara’s intervention as a guarantor power.

Turkish Cyprus and Turkey have consistently contested the Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, saying Turkish Cypriots also have rights to resources in the area.