KKTC continental shelf agreement extends
to Greek Cyprus areas
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A continental shelf agreement was signed between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) in September, but the content was not released to the media. However, information came out on Friday that identified some areas claimed by Greek Cyprus as part of the KKTC's continental shelf in the eastern Mediterranean.
The agreement on the division of the continental shelf between the two countries in the eastern Mediterranean signed on Sept. 21 in New York includes the coordinates of the northwest part of the island which is under the control of Greek Cyprus. In addition, the agreement grants equal rights to the KKTC, allowing the exploration and management of natural resources in the whole sea around the island, and not being limited to the KKTC's continental shelf. The Greek Cypriot government is internationally recognized as representing the whole island, while the KKTC is recognized only by Turkey, which does not recognize the Greek administration of Cyprus.
The agreement followed a Greek Cypriot move to start offshore drilling for natural gas and oil in the southeast of the eastern Mediterranean island. With this agreement, Turkey and the KKTC, objecting to offshore drilling, identified their continental shelf areas with the aim of preventing any Greek Cypriot operations in those areas. The agreement text, which Turkish officials said would not be disclosed before being approved, got its first approval by the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday and was submitted to the General Assembly the same day.
Subsequent to the continental shelf agreement, the KKTC Council of Ministers gave an exploration license to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) on Sept. 22 with an agreement to explore oil and natural gas in the sea around Cyprus. The TPAO license only includes exploration of those resources, meaning they would need to have an extra license for drilling.
The agreement followed a Greek Cypriot move to start offshore drilling for natural gas and oil in the southeast of the eastern Mediterranean island. With this agreement, Turkey and the KKTC, objecting to offshore drilling, identified their continental shelf areas with the aim of preventing any Greek Cypriot operations in those areas. The agreement text, which Turkish officials said would not be disclosed before being approved, got its first approval by the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday and was submitted to the General Assembly the same day.
Subsequent to the continental shelf agreement, the KKTC Council of Ministers gave an exploration license to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) on Sept. 22 with an agreement to explore oil and natural gas in the sea around Cyprus. The TPAO license only includes exploration of those resources, meaning they would need to have an extra license for drilling.
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