Turkey sent a boat to search for oil off the coast of Cyprus

The Turkish government has announced to send a research vessel for oil off the coast of northern Cyprus , after signing a landmark agreement with the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) on the delimitation of the continental shelf between the two countries, under which Ankara will conduct exploration for oil and gas in these waters.

The Energy Minister Taner Yildiz, said that the exploratory work is carried out "so elementary" in the waters north of the island, but "it could spread to surrounding areas if necessary."

The vessel Piri Reis will on Friday in the town of Izmir and have as much military escort as needed "in the words of Yildiz. The minister has said that this is not provocative and do not expect things to" heat up "in the Mediterranean.

It has also indicated that several international companies have shown interest in the works, but has not given names.

The agreement was signed in New York by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Turkish Cypriot president, Dervis Eroglu, whose entity’s only officially recognized by Ankara.

Erdogan explained, the definition was made "taking into account sound principles and international law."

"We will start proceedings quickly for rapid ratification of the agreement in Turkish and Turkish parliaments," he said.

The procedures for delivery of licensed oil and gas exploration by the Cypriot government to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation shall be filled "in the shortest possible time," said the ‘allow’ Turk.

In addition, Erdogan warned the international community that Ankara will include a ‘blacklist’ to all those companies that cooperate with the Cypriots "not to participate in energy projects in Turkey and to impose certain sanctions."

The decision comes after the Cypriot government, which controls three-quarters of the island except the north under the control of the TRNC, has started this week for gas exploration with the American company Noble Energy off its coast.

"We’ll see how they behave after the Cypriots go a little in the agreements with Turkey (…) hopefully exploration operations are stopped," said Eroglu.

It has also indicated that the Cypriots "have come to Israel" because of their joint research in the Mediterranean.