Cyprus reacts to gas plan ire
Cyprus has lodged an official complaint with the United Nations and the European Union, after Turkey last week warned the government in Nicosia against drilling for natural gas off the island?s southern coast.
Cyprus also plans to lodge a demarche with the permanent members of the Security Council, Foreign Minister Erato Markoulli said Monday, warning Turkey against jeopardizing its European ambitions.
Markoulli is expected to discuss the issue with her Greek counterpart Stavros Lambrinidis during her first official visit to Athens on Thursday.
Nicosia?s announcement that it will start drilling for natural gas inside the island?s exclusive economic zone on October 1 prompted a fierce reaction by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday.
?We will show the appropriate reaction if any further step is taken,? Davutoglu was quoted as saying by Turkish daily Zaman.
He said Cyprus has no right to explore for gas or oil unless a settlement is reached on the division of the island.
