ANKARA - Burak Ozugergin, spokesman for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the Greek Cypriot administration's efforts to explore oil and natural gas contradicted with the ongoing full-fledged negotiations, and called on parties to refrain from tension-escalating attempts.
In a written response to news reports in the Greek Cypriot press that an American company would begin exploring oil and natural gas in southwestern part of the island, Ozugergin said, "earlier, we shared our views about Greek Cypriot administration's attempts. First of all, those attempts contradicted with the ongoing full-fledged negotiations."
"Such attempts are lack of legal ground and have the potential of escalating tension in the region. Also, they damage Turkish Cypriot people's equal rights and interests over natural assets of the island," he said.
"On the other hand, Turkey has some fundamental rights and interest acknowledged by the United Nations in that marine areas. Turkey will naturally protect its rights," he said.
Ozugergin called on the Greek Cypriot administration to act with common-sense and refrain from any attempts that could lead to tension in the region.