Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 8 / Trend, A. Taghiyeva /
Italian company Eni's cooperation with Cyprus in the field of hydrocarbon exploration in the eastern part of Mediterranean may negatively affect the company's projects in Turkey, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz said today, Anadolu agency reported.
He added that holding such operations in a special economic zone is contrary to international law, so Turkey is ready to impose sanctions against companies cooperating with Cyprus in the area.
After Nicosia started working to develop the shelf off the coast of the island divided into Greek and Turkish parts in September 2011, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara along with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will begin exploring oil and gas in a special economic zone of Northern Cyprus.
Turkey has repeatedly expressed its categorical protest against operations, demanding the cancelation of plans to develop hydrocarbons by Cyprus.
Ankara does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, maintaining relations only with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. A corps of Turkish troops has been there since 1974.