Turkish energy minister meets Turkish Cypriot premier

LEFKOSA (A.A) - November 2, 2011 - Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz on Wednesday met Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk in Lefkosa as part of talks in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, or TRNC. Speaking to reporters at the meeting about the Greek Cypriot side's ongoing hydrocarbon exploration around the island, Yildiz said it was essential that any resources of oil or natural gas should be shared fairly if such resources were ever found around Cyprus. Yildiz said seismic studies the Turkish Petroleum Company had been conducting in the region would open the way to discover natural resources of the TRNC, adding, "I am sure that seismic research will be followed by drilling." Kucuk, on his part, said Turkish Cypriots had equal rights as much as the Greek Cypriots do over the natural resources of the island, adding that it would be better if such energy issues were brought up after a comprehensive deal was reached on the island.