ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The prime minister of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state says a Turkish research ship has begun oil and gas exploration off divided Cyprus.
Irsen Kucuk said late Monday the ship was searching for fuel in a section delineated with Turkey without revealing its exact location.
Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper said Tuesday that section was close to an area where U.S.-based Noble Energy Inc. started exploring oil and gas deposits under license from Greek Cypriot government.
Cyprus is divided into the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north, which is only recognized by Turkey.
Turkish and Greek Cypriot officials did not immediately confirm the report.
Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said the ship is "where it is supposed to be."
