Turkey is preparing a scene of jealousy after the American Embassy in Cyprus announced their intentions to launch petrol- and natural gas- searching operations in the open sea around Cyprus. The operations will be conducted in the so-called Sole economic area. The Greek foreign policy ministry qualified the Turkish ministry’s position as “unproductive” and demanded that the search for carbohydrate substances is not mixed up with the Cyprus issue.  

A Turkish officer, who requested anonymity, declared in front of “Huriet” newspaper that the Turkish navy is on the watch and will interfere in case of the American company starting the researches in the Mediterranean. Frank Urbanchik, the American ambassador in Nicosia, solely announced that that the works of the American company, the name of which he did not mention, will begin shortly.

An extraordinary meeting of the Ministry of foreign policy was held in Ankara to asses the new situation and the only thing that became clear was that the Turkish parliament will try “not fall under the influence of the provocation it receives”. He believes that Nicosia should be given an answer but in order for this to happen, the appropriate timing is needed, and Cyprus’ possible reaction should be well examined. The Turks have rated the petrol in the area as worth 400bil euro.

Nicosia, keeping the good tone, reminded the Turks that, having become a member of the UN and the EU, Cyprus has the full right to sign contracts on the use of its marine and submarine property with whichever country it decides. Nicosia diplomats made the suggestion that the warnings on the Turkish part are closely related to the pressure on the Cyprus government to speed up the Cyprus issue procedures until the beginning of December this year, when the assessment on Turkey’s progress in regard to its joining the EU will be given.