Cyprus will not react to provocation of Ankara

The official representative of Cyprus government, Nikos Christodulides, said that the situation with the Turkish research vessel Barbaros is a provocation by Turkish officials. A possible reason for this is recent signing of contracts with energy giants ExxonMobil, ENI and Total.

Also three years ago the operations of Barbaros was the reason for suspension of negotiation on “Cyprus problem”.

Related: Erdogan hosts Erhurman in Ankara, says Turkish Cypriot rights must be protected in any Cyprus solution

RelatedErdogan hosts Erhurman in Ankara, says Turkish Cypriot rights must be protected in any Cyprus solution

In the next 2 years Cyprus plans to drill 12 new wells, which will allow to start gas and oil exploration and export.