Turkey, north Cyprus sign new energy deal

The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) signed an oil field services and production agreement with the Turkish Cypriot Economy and Energy Ministry in Nicosia yesterday.

 Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said northern Cyprus and TPAO signed a transparent agreement complying with international law. The agreement gives permission to the TPAO to conduct exploration, drill oil wells and run a drilling platform on northern Cypriot soil.

Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Halil İbrahim Akça also attended the deal ceremony.

Yıldız yesterday met Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister İrsen Küçük in Nicosia as part of talks in northern Cyprus. Yıldız said it was essential that any resources of oil or natural gas should be shared fairly if such resources were ever found around Cyprus.

Meanwhile, a Turkish seismic research vessel concluded seismic research in the eastern Mediterranean yesterday. The Piri Reis arrived at Famagusta port and collected data to be evaluated later.

The ship set sail from İzmir’s Urla Port on Sep. 23 for the eastern Mediterranean to conduct geophysical research and collect seismic data on behalf of Turkish Cyprus.