Turkey offers its territory to Cyprus for gas transportation
Turkey voiced readiness to transport gas through its territory in case Cyprus recognizes that gas produced in the country's territory belongs to all the people of Cyprus (North and South), the Hurriyet Daily News reported.
"If Cyprus wants to legalize production of gas it must recognize that the produced gas belongs to all the population of the island. In this case Turkey will allow it to transport the produced gas through its territory to the world market," Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said.
He said that the decision will benefit both sides and thanks to energy cooperation it will also be possible to eliminate political differences between Turkey and Cyprus.
After Nicosia started working to develop the shelf off the coast of the island divided into Greek and Turkish sectors 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.