Turkey to begin energy exploration in new areas in the first months of 2020 - Minister
Record ID:
1448944
Turkey to begin energy exploration in new areas in the first months of 2020 - Minister
- Title: Turkey to begin energy exploration in new areas in the first months of 2020 - Minister
- Date: 18th December 2019
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (DECEMBER 18, 2019) (REUTERS) TURKISH ENERGY MINISTER, FATIH DONMEZ, ARRIVING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH ENERGY MINISTER, FATIH DONMEZ, SAYING: "As you know, an agreement was signed with Libya on sea demarcation zones. This agreement was approved in our parliament. Libyan government ratified it as well. Now, we moved it on to a new phase, sending the documents to the U.N. and registering it. Once this process is completed, as Turkish Energy Ministry, we will begin working on oil and gas exploration and (production) licensing in these new areas. I think we will start the process in the first months of 2020."
- Embargoed: 1st January 2020 12:19
- Keywords: Cyprus East Mediterranean Fatih Donmez Libya Turkey Turkish Energy Minister energy drilling hydrocarbon
- Location: ANKARA, TURKEY / AT SEA, OFF THE COAST OF CYPRUS
- City: ANKARA, TURKEY / AT SEA, OFF THE COAST OF CYPRUS
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001BAI68WD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Ankara will start to work on the licensing for oil and gas exploration in new areas in East Mediterranean, once the maritime accord with Libya is approved and registered by the United Nations, Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said on Wednesday (December 18).
Donmez said he believed the process will begin in the "first months of 2020", a move that could further stoke tensions between Turkey and Greece.
Last month, Turkey and Libya's internationally recognised government signed an accord on maritime boundaries.
Turkey has said that its maritime accord with Libya allows the two countries to carry out joint exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean, where Ankara has been at odds with Greece and Cyprus over offshore hydrocarbon resources. Greece says the move violates international law, but Ankara rejects this and says it is aimed at protecting its rights.
(Production: Mert Ozkan, Bulent Usta) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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