Turkey Blocks Research Vessel on Behalf of Cyprus

Turkey has blocked the vessel Fugro Gauss, flying the Gibraltar flag, from conducting research on behalf of Cyprus in an area Ankara considers to be part of the Turkish continental shelf. The Turkish navy deployed to the area and issued a counter-NAVTEX, invalidating the NAVTEX of the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkish media, citing sources from the Ministry of Defense, reported that Turkey is closely monitoring the ship's activities and is determined to protect its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. Ankara has stated that the project cannot proceed without its prior consent.

According to Milliyet, a similar attempt by Greece near Karpathos island was prevented by the Turkish navy in July. Diplomatic sources emphasized that any project passing through the Turkish continental shelf requires Turkey's approval.