Cyprus Slams Turkish 'Provocations' over Gas Search

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias Thursday denounced what he called Turkish provocations over exploration for hydrocarbon deposits off the divided eastern Mediterranean island's coast.

"Unfortunately, the effort of the Republic of Cyprus to exercise its sovereign right for exploitation of its marine wealth is met by threats of Turkey against Cyprus," he said in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly.

"Turkish naval maneuvers in the region of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, where exploration is being carried out, are provocative and a real danger for further complications in the region," Christofias said.

"At the same time, Turkey continues its illegal actions by concluding an 'agreement' with the illegal regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, to pursue exploration within the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone."

Regional tensions are rising as the Cyprus government, recognized internationally but not by Turkey, has made a deal with U.S. energy firm Noble, which has started exploratory drilling for gas off the south coast.

Turkey Monday threatened to start its own oil and gas exploration with military escort in retaliation.

Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu signed an accord to explore oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean in response to the Greek Cypriot decision.

"I wish, from this esteemed podium, to condemn this illegal act which constitutes a provocation, not only for the Republic of Cyprus but also for the entire international community," Christofias said.

Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told a news conference in Ankara the research ship Piri Reis "will set out tomorrow (Friday) for seismic exploration off the island."

Yildiz said the vessel, currently in the Aegean port of Izmir, would operate in areas covered in Wednesday's agreement, and added that he did not expect any tension in the Mediterranean "in the short run."

Christofias' remarks to the General Assembly said the Cyprus exploration effort came within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone and was conducted under international law.

"We anticipate that this effort will contribute to the discovery of new energy sources, particularly for Europe, and of course for the shared benefit of our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike," he said.

The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey, whereas the republic of Cyprus became a full member of the European Union in 2004.

Turkey has threatened to freeze its ties with the EU, which it wants to join, if Cyprus takes the rotating presidency of the bloc as scheduled next year.

"We believe that the possible discovery and extraction of hydrocarbons shall constitute yet another motive for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to expedite a just, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, so that both communities can enjoy the natural wealth of our country in conditions of peace, security and prosperity," Christofias told the General Assembly.

In Nicosia Friday, U.N. chief of mission Lisa Buttenheim, after officiating at peace talks between Christofias and Eroglu, stepped in to try to calm tempers over the search for hydrocarbons.

"The United Nations would appeal to all involved to resolve this matter in a peaceful manner and look beyond the issues to the potential benefits that a united Cyprus can bring," she told reporters.

The United Nations is worried that the energy row -- which also involves Greece and Israel -- could derail Cyprus peace talks that are faltering after three years of painstaking negotiations.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-engineered coup in Nicosia aimed at union with Greece.