Cyprus plays EU card after oil threats by Turkey

(NICOSIA) – Cyprus said yesterday that tension-raising Turkish threats over oil exploration could mean obstacles being placed on Ankara’s path towards European Union membership.

Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis told reporters that Turkey could not persist in trying to derail Cyprus’s oil search by demanding in a threatening manner that the internationally recognised government stop the venture.
She said Ankara’s behaviour was being monitored by Brussels and its attitude towards the country’s oil exploration could not go unchecked, otherwise “certainly there will be repercussions.

“There is already one serious consequence relating to the energy chapter” of EU accession negotiations, Kozakou-Marcoullis added, saying that because of Turkish behaviour “it would be inconceivable to open” the chapter.

She was responding to Turkey reiterating that it would secure its “legal rights and interests” if Nicosia proceeds with oil and gas exploration off the eastern Mediterranean island’s south coast.

Cyprus has formally invited tenders — with an August 16 deadline — for oil exploration and drilling rights despite the escalating growing row with Turkey.

EUbusiness