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Cyprus: Conflict over Oil

October 5, 2011

The Republic of Cyprus wants to tap into the oil and gas deposits off its coast. Turkish controlled northern Cyprus feels excluded and Turkey is rattling its sabers.

https://p.dw.com/p/RpHK
Image: AP
Zypern Nikosia Straßenbild
Nicosia - capital of the divided island.Image: DW-TV

Turkish warships are already deployed off the Cypriot coast. The tension is increased by the fact that Greek Cypriots are cooperating with Israel to exploit the energy reserves. Turkish Prime Minister Recip Tayyip Erdogan is known for his verbal attacks on Israel. And in 2007, there was already a conflict over raw material deposits in the sea floor near Cyprus, whose value is estimated at several hundred billion Euros.