You are here

UN not aware of reports on new drillings by Cyprus Republic

24/05/2019 10:51

Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric has said that the UN are not aware of reports about new drillings that will be conducted by the Cyprus Republic in its exclusive economic zone nor have they been informed about any concerns raised by Turkey.

Dujarric was invited on Thursday, during a press briefing, to comment on the fact that the Cyprus Republic has announced drillings at eight sites within the next two years and that Turkey has expressed concerns. He was also asked about concerns raised by the UN as well.
 
"I haven’t seen these reports let me look into it and I will give some language on that", the Spokesperson said.

Last Tuesday Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis announced that Cyprus is planning to carry out eight drillings - six exploratory and two confirmatory-in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), during the next 24 months.  The Minister refrained from revealing in which blocks of the EEZ the drillings will take place, but said that the targets have been located and drillings will begin before the end of the year or beginning of 2020.

Ankara has issued a navigational telex, announcing its intention to start drilling off Cyprus until September 3. The Turkish drill ship “Fatih” is located almost 40 nautical miles west of the Akamas peninsula and 83 nautical miles from the Turkish coast. The area falls within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus.