Turkey to begin surveys for planned northern Cyprus gas pipeline
The planned 63-mile link is intended to supply gas for electricity generation but has drawn condemnation from the Republic of Cyprus amid rising rivalries in the eastern Mediterranean.
ANKARA — Turkey has issued a maritime navigation notice reserving parts of the eastern Mediterranean through Aug. 30 for seismic surveys as part of its plans to lay a natural gas pipeline linking southern Turkey with northern Cyprus.
The survey plan: Cyprus remains divided between the EU-member Republic of Cyprus and the breakaway north, recognized only by Ankara, since Turkey’s 1974 intervention following a Greek-backed coup. Turkey, Greece and Britain remain guarantor powers under the island’s post-independence arrangements.
The NAVTEX, which was issued on Tuesday, announces that the Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis and three support vessels will conduct scientific research and underwater operations in a designated area of the Mediterranean through Aug. 30, according to the text of the notice.
The operations are aimed at determining the seabed conditions and precise alignment of a planned natural gas pipeline between Turkey and northern Cyprus, Turkiye Today reported on Wednesday.
