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Cyprus, the Turkish Navy blocks Eni platform

The unit was carrying a platform of the Italian company which has to drill in an area disputed by the authorities of Ankara - Farnesina in action to seek a diplomatic solution.

Cyprus, the Turkish Navy blocks Eni platform

The Turkish navy has stopped the journey of Saipem 12000, the Eni platform which was heading towards Cyprus to start drilling operations under license from the Nicosia government. A surprise move, announced by the Cypriot foreign minister and confirmed by the Italian oil group.

"The Saipem 12000 had to interrupt its journey towards a new location to drill - Eni said - as it was blocked by some Turkish military ships with orders not to continue because military activities would be underway in the destination area".

ERDOGAN'S WARNING

The Turkish president Recyp Erdogan, the day after his visit to Italy, said he was against the group's operations in the eastern Mediterranean. "The natural gas exploration works in that region represent a threat for Northern Cyprus and for us", Erdogan said, explaining that, in his mission to Rome last week, he expressed "Turkish concerns" to President Sergio Mattarella and to Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.

THE REACTION OF THE FARNESINA

The Farnesina is following at the highest level, in collaboration with its diplomatic representations in Nicosia and Ankara, the story of the Saipem 12000 ship, which the Turkish authorities do not allow at the moment to continue sailing towards the destination area. Foreign Ministry Angelino Alfano is looking for a diplomatic way to resolve the issue.

THE BRUSSELS INTERVENTION

The European Union promptly commented on the events of the last few hours. "Turkey must unequivocally commit itself to maintaining good neighborly relations and to avoid any source of friction, threat or action towards a member state that could damage good relations and prevent a peaceful settlement of disputes," said Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva. “The EU – she added – underlines the need to respect the sovereignty of the States also in their maritime and air borders”.

ENI IN CYPRUS

Eni has been present in Cyprus since 2013 and holds interests in six licenses in the exclusive economic waters of the republic (in Blocks 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 11), five as operator. Just a few days ago the group announced a gas discovery in Block 6 offshore Cyprus, through the Calypso 1 well.

THE CONTEXT

The island of Cyprus is formally united under one flag, but is in fact divided in two. Most of the territory is occupied by the Greek-speaking Republic of Cyprus, which claims sovereignty over the whole country and is recognized by the international community. In the northern part of the island, however, extends the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which proclaimed itself independent in 1983 and is recognized only by Turkey. Its territory corresponds to that controlled by the Turkish army after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, decided in response to the military coup that deposed the then Cypriot president, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Makarios. The invasion was one of the causes that determined the fall of the Dictatorship of the Colonels in Greece.

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