Turkish Navy holds exercise near south of Cyprus

Looks like more great scenario fodder.

Turkish Navy holds exercise near south of island

11.05.2007

The Observer

The Turkish Navy performed a military exercise in the region which the Greek Cypriot side has designated as an exclusive economic zone in agreements signed with Egypt and Lebanon for the purpose of oil explorations. There are two and a half months left for the tender that will see the Greek Cypriot side issuing exploration licenses for the 13 regions. The Turkish Navy performed their exercises on Wednesday, May 2, 12 miles from the Greek Cypriot coast.

According to the news from various sources the Turkish Navy and some Turkish Air Force fighter jets that were involved in the ‘“Anatolian Star 2007’ search and rescue exercise in the Aegean Sea were sent to the region which is out of their usual routine activity area. These sea and air crafts displayed the Turkish flag upon entering international waters and never entered the territorial waters or airspace of the Greek Cypriot side.

Military sources in Northern Cyprus mentioned that the Turkish Naval and Air Force squads fulfilled their mission on Wednesday. The same sources attracted attention with the statement that Turkey was a guarantor of the entire island and mentioned that “You cannot explore for oil putting Turkey aside.” It was noted that the Turkish Naval and Air Force would perform the common exercise ‘Sea Wolf -1’ around the Island of Cyprus.

The reaction of the Greek Cypriot Side

The activities of the Turkish boats could be followed from Larnaca and Limassol. Greek Cypriot Cabinet Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said that as long as the Turkish military exercises performed in international waters there would be no problems with the Greek Cypriot side.

According to Greek Cypriot radio, Pashiardis said that the exercise being performed in international waters did not contravene any international agreements and continued by saying, “In the case of determining that our territorial waters and the Nicosia FIR zone have been contravened we will make the necessary complaint.”

Upon a question related to a Turkish company about to open a tender for oil explorations in the Mediterranean, Pashiardis claimed “If this information is true, then another illegal act of the Turkish side will be discussed”.