Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos on Friday rejected Turkey's objection to a recent exclusive economic zone agreement between Cyprus and Lebanon, the Cyprus News Agency reported.
Papadopoulos said that Turkey has no rights over potential oil and natural gas resources in Cyprus' coastal areas.
Cyprus and Lebanon on Wednesday signed in Beirut an agreement for the delimitation of the
exclusive economic zone to pave the way for future exploration in the seabed between the two countries.
But Turkey reportedly lodged a protest to Lebanon, saying that Turkey has a part in the matter and Beirut should ask Ankara's opinion before signing any agreement with Cyprus.
Papadopoulos said that the Cypriot government had consulted legal experts on the issue, especially concerning the northern part, adding that Cyprus has no intention to negotiate a relevant agreement with its arch rival Turkey.
Positive findings in the seas off Egypt and initial findings in Cyprus' surrounding areas have encouraged the island state to make further scans for energy resources.
Meanwhile, Cyprus has worked to determine the exclusive economic zone with Egypt to facilitate future exploration of oil and natural gas reserves.
(Xinhua News Agency, 19/01/2007)