Insight Turkey
Insight Turkey
Challenging ideas
On Turkish politics and International affairs

Author

Michael Emerson

Associate Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies, [email protected]
Michael Emerson
Fishing for Gas and More in Cypriot Waters
January 1, 2013
Cyprus has been hit hard by economic misfortunes recently, but now has a big opportunity to develop significant offshore gas resources. However, its chances of proceeding with this project are currently prejudiced by political tensions surrounding its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This is because Turkey is sharply contesting the right of Cyprus to go ahead, albeit for reasons maybe more connected to the stalled peace process for reunifying the island than matters of international maritime law. Turkey is now in an awkward diplomatic position, opposing a remarkable alignment of interests of the EU, US, Israel, Cyprus and Russia, all supporting Cyprus’s rights to its EEZ. Surely this relatively benign Cyprus gas question should be sorted out without delay, with Turkey signalling the possibility of some recalibration of its position.

Most Read
We use cookies in a limited and restricted manner for specific purposes. For more details, you can see "our data policy". More...