Britannia Radio

 

 Greek Cyprus Signs Energy Deal With Israel in Defiance of Turkey

June 21, 2013 12:13 pm 10 comments

Author:

 Zach Pontz

Ankara Avner Oil Exploration Cyprus Israel Cyprus Turkey Delek Drilling Greek Cypriot cabinet Mediterranean island Turkish energy authorities two-state solution Victor Papadopoulos

The Greek Cypriot c

Gas odourant injection facility. Photo: Glen Dillon.

abinet defied Turkey earlier this week, approving plans to sign a deal with a US-Israeli partnership to build a liquefied natural gas plant on the island to exploit untapped energy riches, AFP reported Friday.

 

Turkey has objected to the plan, saying the resources should be divided between two sides of the separated island.

 

“The cabinet has approved the decision to sign the memorandum of understanding between Cyprus and companies Noble Energy International (US), Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration Limited Partnership for liquefaction terminal for natural gas,” said government spokesman Victor Papadopoulos on June 19.

 

The broke Mediterranean island is hoping the untapped offshore energy resources can infuse its faltering economy. It hopes to commercially export its gas by 2020.

 

Turkey has attacked the Greek Cypriot government claiming it violates rights of the Turkish residents of the island.

 

The Turkish Foreign ministry said in a statement that Ankara “won’t let the Cypriot issue continue in this way.”

It also said that Turkey is ready to negotiate a two-state solution for the island.

Turkish energy authorities have expressed their belief that the best way for carrying any Mediterranean source – Cypriot or Israeli gas and oil –would be through Turkey and any plan in which Turkey is excluded won’t be considered reasonable.

10 Comments

• Thomas Georgiades

  June 21, 2013 
  7:05 pm

  For 40 years, Turkey has been profiting from Greek Cypriot properties they stole when they illegally invaded the island in 1974. Not once have they considered the rights of the Greek Cypriots who are the rightful owners. In fact, they declared the illegally occupied areas in the north the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” with its own puppet government. Now they say both sides should “share” in the profits. The truth of the matter is that Turkey is exploiting all Cypriots both Turkish and Greeks. Turkey should remove it’s illegal troops along with the illegal settlers and leave Cyprus to the Cypriots.

  Reply
• HaroldT

  June 21, 2013 
  6:19 pm

  Turkey’s animosity towards Israel has now come back to bite Ergodan in the behind.

  Reply
• Bernard Ross

  June 21, 2013 
  3:36 pm

  turkish con artists led by the clownish buffoon

  Reply
• Wolfgang

  June 21, 2013 
  3:26 pm

  Oh my. The Sultan will undoubtedly throw feces at the other members in his AKP cage.

  Reply
• LaughingOutLoud

  June 21, 2013 
  1:09 pm

  Last time I checked Cyprus is a sovereign and can act as it pleases within its territory. Also Turkey according to the UN is a foreign occupation power and there are several UN security council resolutions calling for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus and repatriation of refugees. After almost 40 years Turkey is no abiding by these resolutions in complete defiance of law and order.

  I must say Turkey’s reactions are no less than a travesty, indeed not to be taken seriously, as they lack any speck of international legitimacy.

=============