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The Kyrenia mountain range in the Turkish-controlled area has been painted with the flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The photo was taken on July 19, 2014 (illustration image). AFP PHOTO / YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU

An armed Turkish drone landed on Monday in Northern Cyprus where it will be stationed, against a backdrop of strong tensions between Turkey and other countries bordering the eastern Mediterranean concerning the exploitation of hydrocarbons.

The Bayraktar TB2 type drone landed at Gecitakle airport in the Famagusta region, in the east of the divided island. It is the first Turkish drone to land at this airport after the Turkish Cypriot authorities, sponsored by Ankara, whose troops occupy the north of the island , have given their agreement to the deployment of this type of aircraft.

Exploitation of hydrocarbons

This deployment comes against a backdrop of strong tensions in the region concerning the exploitation of hydrocarbons after the signing at the end of November of a controversial maritime delimitation agreement between Turkey and Libya. This agreement has been condemned by several countries, including Greece and Cyprus, because it allows Ankara to claim rights over large areas in the eastern Mediterranean.

After signing this agreement, the Turkish government has indeed warned that it would prevent any exploration of hydrocarbons without its authorization in these areas. The hydrocarbon deposits discovered in recent years in the eastern Mediterranean whet the appetite of neighboring countries, from Greece to Egypt, via Cyprus and Israel, all countries which have difficult relations with Ankara.

Turkish response

The Turkish-Libyan maritime agreement is seen as Turkey's response to the creation in January of an Eastern Mediterranean gas forum, from which Ankara was excluded, at a meeting in Cairo of representatives of Cyprus, from Greece, Israel, Egypt, Italy, Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

Threatened with sanctions by the European Union for its illegal drilling off the coast of Cyprus, in which it has occupied the northern part since 1974, Turkey intends to use its agreement with Libya to end its isolation in the eastern Mediterranean and to claim rights over the exploitation of hydrocarbons.

( with AFP )