Britain concerned by Turkey's intention to drill off Cyprus

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt speaks during a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Foreign Office in central London, Britain May 8, 2019. Mandel Ngan/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo - Copyright POOL(Reuters)

By Reuters

Published on 09/05/2019 - 15:32•Updated 27/04/2024 - 01:59

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LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is concerned by Turkey's intention to begin offshore drilling operations in an area claimed by Cyprus as its exclusive economic zone, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday.

"Concerned by Turkey’s announcement to begin drilling in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone," Hunt said.

"This situation must be deescalated and all parties show restraint," he said. "Hydrocarbons development should benefit all Cypriots and support a settlement."

Turkey and the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government have overlapping claims of jurisdiction for offshore oil and gas research in the eastern Mediterranean, a region thought to be rich in natural gas.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge. Editing by Andrew MacAskill)

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Britain concerned by Turkey's intention to drill off Cyprus

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