Turkey signs gas exploration agreement with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkey signed the agreement with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a state recognized only by Ankara, New York, regardless of the UN General Assembly, the agency said Turkish official.

Ankara is opposed to the Republic of Cyprus (internationally recognized) start oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean, scheduled in October with the U.S. company Noble Energy, as announced this week.

Turkey argues that the Greco-Cypriot authorities – they just control the south of the island – have no right to explore natural resources of Cyprus as the island is not reunited.

Ankara has threatened to launch its own exploration under military protection.