Turkey dismisses economic zone agreement between Cyprus, Lebanon

Turkey warned Lebanon on Tuesday about its oil and gas exploration deals signed with Cyprus, saying Turkey would not recognize the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone in the east Mediterranean as Turkey and Turkish Cypriots also had rights in the region.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Greek Cypriot administration does not represent the entire island of Cyprus and therefore the laws it passes regarding sea management zones and its agreements with other countries do not bind Turkey.

The statement indicated that the countries and companies, which think of launching oil and natural gas exploration under "null and void" licenses to be given by the Greek Cypriot administration, should take into consideration the sensitivity of the situation and will of Turkish Cypriots.

These countries and companies should not launch any initiatives that might have a negative impact on settlement of the Cyprus problem, the statement noted.

Meanwhile, the statement said that Turkey has asked Lebanon authorities to explain the content of the agreement and not to enforce it.

It is reported that Lebanon and Cyprus signed an agreement for the delineation of an undersea border on Jan. 17 to facilitate future oil and gas exploration between the two east Mediterranean countries. A similar agreement was signed between Cyprus and Egypt last year.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of Cyprus following a coup by a group of Greek officers.

The internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus entered the EU in the name of the whole island while the Turkish-Cypriot dominated northern Cyprus is recognized by Turkey only.

Source: Xinhua