Turkey: Prevents Fugro Gauss Research, Cancels RoC NAVTEX

Turkey claims to have prevented the Fugro Gauss vessel, flying the flag of Gibraltar, from conducting research on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus in an area it considers its own continental shelf. Turkish media report that a counter-NAVTEX was issued, canceling the Republic of Cyprus' NAVTEX.

According to the Turkish newspaper «Milliyet», the Turkish navy was deployed in the area and conveyed that the project cannot proceed without Turkey's approval.

Sources from the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that air and naval assets have been deployed to monitor the ship's activities. Turkey maintains that any activities on its continental shelf must be coordinated with them in advance.

«Milliyet» reports that the Greek Cypriot administration attempted to violate the Turkish continental shelf, but the attempt was prevented. Turkey states that it will not allow faits accomplis in the Mediterranean.

Diplomatic sources emphasize that any project passing through the Turkish continental shelf requires Turkey's approval. They also mention that the «Blue Raman» fiber optic cable project was successfully completed in 2024, as the necessary procedures were followed.

Source: ΚΥΠΕ