Nicosia: ‘Turkey’s allegations about Plot 5 unfounded – Investigations continue’

The exploration and development of Plot 5 is an exclusive and sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus, the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs states in relation to the licensing of the disputed plot in the ExxonMobil / Qatar Petroleum consortium, characterizing his allegations as “unfounded”.

The statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “reiterates its full disregard for treaty and customary international law, as reflected in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its disregard for its sovereign rights.” Republic of Cyprus on the continental shelf and its exclusive economic zone “.

The Cypriot Foreign Minister recalls that Plot 5 is located within the EEZ and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus in the southwest of the island, which is already delimited under international law between the relevant coastal states, in particular the Republic of Cyprus and the Arab Republic of EEZ in 2003.

“The exploration and / or exploitation of block 5 is an exclusive sovereign right of Cyprus and does not affect the rights of any third country, including Turkey,” the Foreign Minister said.

At the same time, the Foreign Minister notes that the expansion of ExxonMobil’s presence in the Cypriot EEZ and continental shelf constitutes a “vote of confidence” in the energy strategy of Cyprus and adds that “Turkey deliberately once again refuses to comply with applicable international law. ignoring the position of the international community, which fully supports the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in the EEZ and its continental shelf “.

Concluding, the Foreign Minister notes that “the Republic of Cyprus will resolutely pursue its policy in the field of hydrocarbons with full respect for international and European law.”

A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday night stated that part of Plot 5 belongs to the so-called “Turkish continental shelf” which Cyprus is violating by granting an exploration license to Exxon Mobile and Qatar Petroleum.

“Turkey will never allow any foreign country, company or ship to conduct gas exploration in areas under its jurisdiction,” Ankara said in a statement. licensing of the Plot 5, approved yesterday by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus.

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Source From: Capital

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