UN urges calm over Cyprus-Turkey gas row

The UN stepped into calm tempers on Friday after Turkey threatened divided Cyprus to put off drilling for natural gas or it will press ahead with exploration plans off the island’s Turkish-held north.

“It should be understood that natural resources, if they are discovered, would be for the benefit of all Cypriots — Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots — under the framework of a federal united Cyprus,” said UN chief of mission Lisa Buttenheim after officiating at peace talks between Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

“The United Nations would appeal to all involved to resolve this matter in a peaceful manner and look beyond the issues to the potential benefits that a united Cyprus can bring,” she told reporters.

The UN is worried that the energy row — which also involves Greece and Israel — could derail Cyprus peace talks that are faltering after three years of painstaking negotiations.

Turkey threatened on Thursday to sign a continental shelf delimitation agreement with northern Cyprus if the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government moves ahead with gas exploration plans, the foreign ministry said.