Erdogan Warns IOCs of 'Military Response'

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a stark warning to international oil companies (IOCs) engaged in hydrocarbon prospecting within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) claimed by the Republic of Cyprus. 

Speaking at the launch of a new Turkish naval frigate November 4, Erdogan repeated warnings that Turkey will not allow IOCs and the Cyprus government to "usurp the natural resources" of the island, ignoring the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC).

Erdogan described IOCs prospecting in the area as "bandits of the sea" and warned that they will be punished in the same way as "terrorists in Syria".

Speaking to NGW, Matt Bryza, the former US special envoy for Caspian and East Mediterranean Energy suggested that Erdogan's words should be taken in context and that actual military engagement is unlikely.

"This isn't the first time he has made such comments and they are not a surprise," says Bryza, pointing out that they are in line with Turkish policy on Cyprus which is to oppose development of hydrocarbon reserves without the involvement of the Turkish side.

On occasions when military confrontation has occurred, he explains, Turkish naval vessels have been careful to conduct themselves in a non threatening manner.

The Turkish president's comments follow several weeks of increased tensions after a Greek frigate "buzzed" a survey ship belonging to Turkish upstream operator Turkish petroleum (TP) surveying within the EEZ claimed by Cyprus and less than a week after TP's own drill ship began deep water drilling within Turkish waters to the north west of the Island.

Turkish naval vessels earlier this year prevented a drill ship belonging to Eni from drilling within block 3 offshore Cyprus. Turkey does not recognise the Cypriot EEZ and has long insisted that revenue from mineral and hydrocarbon reserves held within the island's waters should be shared between the two countries.