Greek Cypriots refuse to unblock energy chapter in EU-Turkey talks

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Stefanou was quoted by AP as telling broadcaster CyBC that his government would continue to efforts to freeze EU-Turkey energy talks over a Turkish naval ships interference with a Greek Cypriot offshore fossil fuel survey.

Energy is one among eight of Turkey’s 35 negotiation chapters that are currently suspended because of its refusal to open its air and sea ports to Greek Cypriots.

Sweden, which takes over the EU presidency next month, has said it wants to start energy talks this year. 

Greek Cypriot Industry Minister Antonis Paschalides also told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday that his government would press on with offshore oil exploration and would open new fields for hydrocarbon research by early next year.

He said Turkey's decision to send warships to the area last year had not deterred investors eager to search for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean.

The first exploration deal was clinched with U.S. company Noble Energy, which has already found a large gas reservoir offshore nearby Israel.

In 2007, Greek Cypriots launched their first licensing round for hydrocarbons in 11 offshore blocks, most in deepwater locations, despite objections from Turkey.

In November last year, Greek Cypriots protested to the United Nations that Turkish warships had repeatedly harassed Norwegian research vessels off the southern rim of the island over blocks earmarked for exploration.

Turkey, which lies north of the island, said the research ships had encroached on its continental shelf.

On Wednesday, Turkish officials called on Greek Cypriots to abandon the project, saying the Greek Cypriot government in the south did not represent the whole island.

"We expect the Greek Cypriot authorities to end their calls for international tender," Reuters quoted a Turkish foreign ministry official, who requested anonymity, as saying.

"Insistence... will adversely affect the peace and stability on the island of Cyprus, as well as in the Eastern Mediterranean region.”

Turkish Cypriots in the north of the divided island also say Greek Cypriots have no authority to explore for oil or gas and have warned the dispute could upset reunification talks.