Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 20 /Trend, A.Tagiyeva/
Cyprus's exploration of hydrocarbons in the Mediterranean Sea will create tension in the Cyprus issue and can cause some tension in relations between Turkey and the EU, but it will not lead to a complete rupture between the two sides, the Turkish expert Ismail Yashi.
"The EU will not risk weakening the relationship with Turkey because of the Cyprus issue," Yasha told Trend in a telephone conversation.
The Cypriot side has started exploration on oil and gas fields in its shelf in the Mediterranean Sea in cooperation with the U.S. Noble Energy Company. Drilling began on the platform of "Aphrodite" in the economic zone of Cyprus.
Turkey has repeatedly expressed its categorical protest against the works, requiring to abandon plans to develop hydrocarbons in Cyprus. The European Union urged Turkey "to avoid threats" on the issue of oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. Also, the Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that Turkey will freeze all relations with the EU if Cyprus Republic takes the EU presidency in 2012.
Yashi said the EU is interested in improving relations with Turkey as a country - a leader in the region, which has an advantageous strategic position. According to the expert, Cyprus's beginning exploration of hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Sea is a response to the Turkish-Egyptian cooperation in the gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea.
"The agreement that has been reached between Turkey and Egypt on gas exploration much troubled Cyprus and forced it to seek a partner for a similar exploration," he said.
Thus, the competition for natural resources in the Mediterranean region will start, said Yashi.
Following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said that Turkey and Egypt signed two agreements on energy cooperation. Countries already have agreements on the exploration of oil and gas in the Mediterranean Sea.