Tension between Turkey and other stakeholders over gas drilling in the eastern Mediterranean

Summary:

Reports, analyses and information on the tension in the eastern Mediterranean as regional tension increases over gas drilling activities led by Turkey and Cyprus.

Further information:

Cypriot authorities announced on 11 February 2018 that Turkish military had obstructed a vessel contracted by oil company ENI to approach an area off the coast of Cyprus to conduct exploration activities for natural gas. The Turkish government framed the incident as an unilateral move by Greek Cypriots, which was in violation of the sovereign rights of Turkish Cypriots. However, the European Union (EU) urged Turkey to refrain from any 'threat' against Cyprus. Greece accused Turkish authorities of violating international law and condemned the country's 'provocative conduct'. Later, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed the sovereign rights of Turkish Cypriots and warned Cyprus not to 'overstep the mark' in the eastern Mediterranean.

Amid increasing drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean led by Turkey in 2019, the Council of the European Union held several discussions and adopted a series of conclusions condemning such actions and expressing solidarity with Cyprus and Greece. The European Council also urged Turkey to respect the Cypriot right to exploiting its natural resources, in both March 2019 and June 2019. On 11 November, the Council of the European Union adopted a framework for sanctions in response to Turkey's drilling activities in the region.

In late 2019, regional tension was further escalated by an agreement between Turkey and Libya on maritime jurisdiction in the Mediterranean.

The Council of the European Union adopted on 15 May 2020 a Statement on the situation in the eastern Mediterranean region, following Turkey's latest decisions relating to its activities on Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Nonetheless, Turkey continued to carry its operations on sea into the summer, leading to an escalating war of words with Greece and Cyprus.

Official

Council of the European Union, 15/07/2019: Turkish drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean: Council adopts conclusions https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/07/15/turkish-drilling-activities-in-the-eastern-mediterranean-council-adopts-conclusions/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 14/10/2019: Turkey's illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean: Council adopts conclusions https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/10/14/council-conclusions-on-turkey-s-illegal-drilling-activities-in-the-eastern-mediterranean/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 11/11/2019: Turkey's illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean: Council adopts framework for sanctions https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/11/11/turkey-s-illegal-drilling-activities-in-the-eastern-mediterranean-council-adopts-framework-for-sanctions/

Council of the European Union: Statement of the EU Foreign Ministers on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean (15 May 2020) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/05/15/statement-of-the-eu-foreign-ministers-on-the-situation-in-the-eastern-mediterranean/

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News

Euronews, 11/02/2018: Tension between Turkey and Cyprus over gas search http://www.euronews.com/2018/02/11/tension-between-turkey-and-cyprus-over-gas-search

Hürriyet Daily News, 11/02/2018: Turkey slams Greek Cyprus over gas drilling works as tensions increase in eastern Mediterranean http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-slams-greek-cyprus-over-gas-drilling-works-as-tensions-increase-in-eastern-mediterranean-127132

EUObserver, 12/02/2018: EU warns Turkey over 'threat' to Cyprus https://euobserver.com/foreign/140954

EurActiv, 13/02/2018: EU warns Turkey over Cyprus ship incident https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/eu-warns-turkey-over-cyprus-ship-incident/

Hürriyet Daily News, 13/02/2018: Greek Cyprus should not 'overstep mark' in eastern Mediterranean http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/greek-cyprus-should-not-overstep-mark-in-eastern-mediterranean-127245

Reuters, 13/02/2018: Erdogan tells Cyprus not to test Turkey over gas standoff https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1FX0XZ

Deutsche Welle, 13/02/2018: Turkish warships block drilling rig near Cyprus http://p.dw.com/p/2sZiO

Kathimerini, 13/02/2018: Turkish actions off Imia islets raise the stakes http://www.ekathimerini.com/225810/article/ekathimerini/news/turkish-actions-off-imia-islets-raise-the-stakes

Kathimerini, 13/02/2018: Athens accuses Ankara of fueling tension in the region http://www.ekathimerini.com/225785/article/ekathimerini/news/athens-accuses-ankara-of-fueling-tension-in-the-region

Cyprus Mail, 14/02/2018: Cyprus solution would resolve dispute says UNSG http://cyprus-mail.com/2018/02/14/cyprus-solution-resolve-dispute-says-unsg/

Euro|topics, February 2018: Ankara blocks gas drilling off Cyprus's coast https://www.eurotopics.net/en/194337/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 20/03/2018: Gas and Gunboats Around Cyprus http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=75838

Euronews, 13/05/2019: Tensions mount over Turkey’s drilling off Cyprus https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/tensions-mount-over-turkeys-drilling-off-cyprus/

The Guardian, 20/05/2019: Turkey insists on right to drill for energy reserves off Cyprus https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/20/turkey-insists-on-right-to-drill-for-energy-reserves-off-cyprus

The Guardian, 18/06/2019: Greece and Cyprus call on EU to punish Turkey in drilling dispute https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/18/greece-and-cyprus-call-on-eu-to-punish-turkey-in-drilling-dispute

Euronews, 19/06/2019: EU warns Turkey over ‘illegal’ drilling off Cyprus https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-warns-turkey-over-illegal-drilling-off-cyprus/

EurActiv, 21/06/2019: EU ‘in full solidarity’ with Cyprus over Turkey drilling https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/eu-in-full-solidarity-with-cyprus-over-turkey-drilling/

BBC News, 21/06/2019: EU warns Turkey of sanctions for Cyprus drilling https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48718272

Reuters, 10/07/2019: Turkey rejects Greek, EU claims that drilling off Cyprus illegitimate https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1U50ME

The Guardian, 11/07/2019: Turkey rejects claims it is drilling illegally for gas off Cyprus https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/11/turkey-rejects-claims-drilling-illegally-gas-off-cyprus

Politico: 12/07/2019: EU draws up measures against Turkey over Cyprus drilling https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-draws-up-measures-against-turkey-over-cyprus-drilling-oil-gas-mediterranean/

Deutsche Welle, 14/07/2019: Turkey urges Greek Cypriots to accept oil drilling plan https://p.dw.com/p/3M3rc

Cyprus Mail, 16/07/2019: Cavusoglu: no need to take EU measures seriously, Turkey sending fourth ship https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/07/16/turkey-says-eu-decisions-will-not-affect-its-energy-activities-off-cyprus/

Euronews, 16/07/2019: EU sanctions Turkey for drilling off the coast of Cyprus https://www.euronews.com/2019/07/16/eu-sanctions-turkey-for-drilling-off-the-coast-of-cyprus

Hürriyet Daily News, 16/07/2019: Turkey to send fourth ship to East Med, despite EU sanctions decision http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-send-fourth-ship-to-east-med-despite-eu-sanctions-decision-145005

Reuters, 07/08/2019: Turkey says drill ships continue work in eastern Mediterranean, another en route https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1UX123

BBC News, 08/08/2019: Turkey ramps up drilling off Cyprus on eve of peace talks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49275949

TRT World, 11/08/2019: Turkey defends right to drill in Mediterranean, 'without any hesitation' https://www.trtworld.com/turkey/turkey-defends-right-to-drill-in-mediterranean-without-any-hesitation-28931/

Deutsche Welle, 04/10/2019: Cyprus slams Turkey's latest gas drilling bid as 'severe escalation' https://p.dw.com/p/3Qiw6

Reuters, 04/10/2019: Tensions grow as Cyprus says Turkish drilling ship violates its rights https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1WJ0HQ

EurActiv, 07/10/2019: US warns Turkey over offshore drilling near Cyprus https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/us-warns-turkey-over-offshore-drilling-near-cyprus/

Deutsche Welle, 11/11/2019: EU targets Turkey's oil drilling off Cyprus coast https://p.dw.com/p/3SpXc

Reuters, 11/11/2019: EU agrees sanctions on Turkey over Cyprus drilling, to add names later https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN1XL1XI

Cyprus Mail, 11/11/2019: EU FMs set to adopt measures against illegal Turkish drilling https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/11/eu-fms-set-to-adopt-measures-against-illegal-turkish-drilling/

EurActiv, 12/11/2019: EU takes step closer to Turkey drilling sanctions https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-takes-step-closer-to-turkey-drilling-sanctions/

Anadolu Agency, 22/11/2019: Turkey starts 4th drilling in Eastern Mediterranean https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-starts-4th-drilling-in-eastern-mediterranean/1653171

Deutsche Welle, 29/11/2019: 'Turkey escalates provocations' in EastMed drilling program https://p.dw.com/p/3TI11

BBC News, 16/12/2019: Turkish drone fuels tension over Cyprus gas claims https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50806877

Reuters, 19/01/2020: Turkey spars with EU over fresh drilling off Cyprus https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN1ZI0FJ

EurActiv, 20/01/2020: EU warns Turkey off Mediterranean gas exploration plans https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-warns-turkey-off-mediterranean-gas-exploration-plans/

The Guardian, 29/01/2020: France to send warships to support Greece in Turkish standoff https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/29/greece-turkey-standoff-france-send-warships-east-mediterranean

EUObserver, 28/02/2020: Turkey reacts to Greek air violations complaint https://euobserver.com/foreign/147582

Kathimerini, 21/04/2020: Cyprus: Turkey's latest gas drilling proof of 'expansionism' https://www.ekathimerini.com/251863/article/ekathimerini/news/cyprus-turkeys-latest-gas-drilling-proof-of-expansionism

TRT World, 07/05/2020: Turkey intensifies Mediterranean gas operations as energy giants postpone https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/turkey-intensifies-mediterranean-gas-operations-as-energy-giants-postpone-36103

Euronews, 25/06/2020: Turkey's growing war of words with Greece and Cyprus over Mediterranean drilling https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/25/turkey-s-growing-war-of-words-with-greece-and-cyprus-over-mediterranean-drilling

Anadolu Agency, 26/06/2020: ‘Turkey not doing anything illegal in Mediterranean’ https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/-turkey-not-doing-anything-illegal-in-mediterranean-/1890343

Politico, 21/07/2020: Greek PM warns Turkey over Eastern Mediterranean survey https://www.politico.eu/article/german-minister-warns-turkey-drilling-in-mediterranean-harms-eu-ties/

Associated Press, 22/07/2020: Turkey rejects Greece accusation of Mediterranean violation https://apnews.com/66562641243fc1769ae6f2475dd91a7a

The Independent (UK), 27/07/2020: Turkey is withdrawing from disputed Mediterranean zone, Greece says https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-greece-mediterranean-zone-dispute-withdrawal-a9640481.html

Reuters, 27/07/2020: Spain sees thaw in Europe-Turkey tensions on Mediterranean drilling https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKCN24S1RY

Deutsche Welle, 10/08/2020: Greece accuses Turkey of 'threatening peace' in the Mediterranean https://p.dw.com/p/3glSI

Kathimerini, 11/08/2020: Turkey to issue Mediterranean exploration licences, raising tensions with Greece https://www.ekathimerini.com/255722/article/ekathimerini/news/turkey-to-issue-mediterranean-exploration-licences-raising-tensions-with-greece

BBC News, 11/08/2020: Turkey-Greece tensions escalate over Turkish Med drilling plans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53497741

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Commentary and Analysis

Wikipedia: Cyprus–Turkey maritime zones dispute https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus%E2%80%93Turkey_maritime_zones_dispute

Kathimerini, 13/02/2018: Dangerous moves by Turkey http://www.ekathimerini.com/225771/opinion/ekathimerini/comment/dangerous-moves-by-turkey

The Conversation, 28/02/2018: Scramble for gas in eastern Mediterranean is stoking old tensions in the region https://theconversation.com/scramble-for-gas-in-eastern-mediterranean-is-stoking-old-tensions-in-the-region-92070

Foreign Policy, 28/05/2019: Gas for Peace https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/28/gas-for-peace/

Deutsche Welle, 16/07/2019: Turkey, Cyprus and gas deposits: What you need to know https://p.dw.com/p/3MAp5

Euro|topics, July 2019: Gas off Cyprus: EU imposes sanctions against Ankara https://www.eurotopics.net/en/223360/

Foreign Policy, 25/07/2019: Turkey’s Big Energy Grab https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/25/turkeys-big-energy-grab-cyprus-gas-aphrodite-calypso-eni-exxon/

TRT World, 13/11/2019: European Union sanctions against Turkey are an obstacle to peace https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/european-union-sanctions-against-turkey-are-an-obstacle-to-peace-31334

Bloomberg, 10/12/2019: How Turkey Is Spoiling Its Neighbors’ Big Gas Plans https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-10/how-turkey-is-spoiling-big-plan-for-mediterranean-gas-quicktake

CER: Insights, 23/04/2020: Gas heats up the Eastern Mediterranean https://www.cer.eu/insights/gas-heats-eastern-mediterranean

LSE: EUROPP Blog, 02/06/2020: What a judicial solution to disputes in the eastern Mediterranean might look like https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2020/06/02/what-a-judicial-solution-to-disputes-in-the-eastern-mediterranean-might-look-like/

ISPI: Commentary, 17/07/2020: Turkey’s Struggle for Influence in the Eastern Mediterranean https://www.ispionline.it/en/pubblicazione/turkeys-struggle-influence-eastern-mediterranean-26977

TRT World, 12/08/2020: Key aspects of Turkey’s Mediterranean mission, explained https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/key-aspects-of-turkey-s-mediterranean-mission-explained-38821

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