The Bayraktar TB2 armed drone is now at Gecitkale airbase in Famagusta
NICOSIA, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Turkish military drone has arrived at a base in Turkish-backed northern Cyprus to help controversial gas exploration projects near the island.
A Turkish military official said the drone would escort its drilling ships. There are two – the Fatih and Yavuz – in the area, despite strong criticism from Cyprus and its EU partners.
Turkey alone recognises the self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The Republic of Cyprus, Greece and Israel are also exploring for gas.
In July a new “East Mediterranean Gas Forum” (EMGF) was launched by those three countries, plus Egypt, Jordan, Italy and the Palestinian Authority. However, Turkey was excluded.
The Eastern Mediterranean is reckoned to be rich in natural gas: the US Geological Survey estimates the deposits to run into trillions of cubic metres, worth hundreds of billions of dollars, besides millions of barrels of oil.
Last month, Turkey and the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya signed an agreement on maritime boundaries in the region.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to protect the rights of both countries against any “illegal” encroachments by other players in the region.
In a separate memorandum, Turkey and the GNA agreed on military co-operation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his government was “ready to provide all kinds of support to Libya”. He met GNA leader Fayez al-Sarraj in Istanbul on Sunday.
The GNA is fighting an insurgency by forces under Gen Khalifa Haftar based in eastern Libya.
The Republic of Cyprus argues that Turkey has no right to drill for hydrocarbons off its coast.
Turkey says its drilling operations are taking place inside its continental shelf, and therefore comply with international law.
The Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot communities have been separated by a UN buffer zone since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north of the island in response to a military coup in Cyprus backed by Greece. — NNN-AGENCIES
