US: Turkey’s harassment of drilling vessels ‘will not go unnoticed’ (Updated)

A US State Department official said the harassment of drilling vessels by Turkey inside Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone would not go unnoticed, as he reiterated his country’s support for a bizonal federation as the form of the island’s reunification.

“I think what we have to do on Cyprus specifically, and I was just there recently meeting with leaders on both sides of the island, is remain engaged in the process towards a bizonal, bicommunal federation, that remains a priority, we’re very actively involved there, and I will be going back there this fall,” said Wess Mitchell, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Mitchell, who was giving a speech at the Heritage Foundation public policy research institute, was also asked about the heightened tension in the area due to Ankara’s refusal to recognise Cyprus’ right to carry out hydrocarbon exploration within its EEZ.

“We’ve been clear in our messaging with Turkish officials that harassment of drilling vessels in the Cyprus EEZ is not something that we will allow to go unnoticed or not speak up about,” Mitchell said.

His comments were welcomed by the government in Cyprus, with spokesman Prodromos Prodromou saying the message Mitchell sent out was “very important.”

Speaking on the state broadcaster, the government spokesman said that “in diplomatic language what Mr Mitchell said is a clear indication of US intention.”

The statement from the US official suggested they would not stand by if Turkey harassed drilling vessels in Cyprus’ EEZ and through making these comments public, the US was already taking action, Prodromou said.

In February, Turkish warships prevented Italian energy company ENI from drilling in a field inside block 6 of the Republic’s ΕΕΖ.

Turkey argues it is safeguarding the rights of Turkish Cypriots, but it also has its own claims inside Cyprus’ EEZ.

The government has made it clear that it recognises Turkish Cypriot rights, which they can exercise as part of the island’s reunification.

Mitchell said the US was also working on building a strong political relationship with Cyprus particularly in the counter-terrorism and security realms.

“There’s a lot we are doing for example on Russian disinformation, the challenge of Russian money on Cyprus is a very well-known issue.”

Meanwhile on Wednesday, media in the north reported that the Turkish drillship Fatih, formerly DeepSea Metro II, had arrived at Antalya in Turkey with the intention of heading at some point soon for the Eastern Mediterranean to begin deep-sea drilling, possibly close to or inside Cyprus’ EEZ.

The reports said Fatih would likely begin its first drilling mission at the end of the summer just as US giants ExxonMobil are due to drill around October in block 10 of the EEZ, though this is one block Turkey does not lay any claim to.

Prodromou said they were willing to restart negotiations from where they left off in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, after the elections in Turkey are over.

 

 

 

 

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