Cyprus, oil and the West

Actually, oil is at the very root of the conflicts continuing in Afghanistan, Iraq and Cyprus. The increasing geo-strategic importance of Turkey’s southern provinces such as İskenderun and Mersin should be considered, as well. The EU and the United States have attempted to establish their control over oil and gas reserves and energy lines by making Cyprus an EU member. The reason why the Greek part, in the last months, has been making deals over oil exploration permits with neighboring countries is as well the existing energy reserves of the region. Rich oil reserves have been established some 50 miles off the Cyprus coast and at a depth of nearly 2,000 meters.
The EU countries have been importing around 60 percent of their energy needs, while oil needs of countries like Japan and the United States are increasing. The increasing demand for oil and gas and plans over meeting this increasing demand has been rendering the situation in the oil and gas rich Middle East more and more critical. The plans to keep oil and gas reserves under control are the reason for the chaos in the region. The efforts of Great Britain to engage in oil exploration activities off the Cyprus coast, using its sovereign bases on the island as a pretext, the agreement between the Greek Cypriot administration and Egypt in 2003 for joint exploration of oil, and the Greek Cypriot talks with some other regional countries for the same purpose are all attempts to capitulate on the wealth of the region. The truth lying behind the negotiations is the sidelining of Turkey and Northern Cyprus. International Maritime Law says it is a must that in the regions with oil and gas reserves, there should not be any political problems. As long as there is a problem, parties to that problem are not permitted to make exploration in the region. However, it is interesting that the U.S ambassador in southern Cyprus made a declaration that supported the Greek Cypriot position on the issue. This statement has further increased our existing suspicions.

Turkish Daily News