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22:11 GMT
ANKARA, June 7 (KUNA) -- Turkey Friday rejected agreements Cyprus signed with international companies for off-shore natural gas exploration east of the Mediterranean.
The agreements are "clear evidence of how Cyprus continues to confiscate rights of Cypriot Turks who have equal rights in revenues of the natural resources of the Island," foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement.
The agreements, he added, did not mention Cypriot Turks who would therefore not accept them.
Turkey will continue defending rights of the Cypriot Turks and will act accordingly, said Aksoy.
Cyprus Minister of Energy Yiorgos Lakkotrypis said two days ago revenues from the Aphrodite field in the eastern Mediterranean were expected at USD nine billion over 18 years. The aggreements were signed with Noble Energy, Shell and Delek Drilling.
Eastern Mediterranean is a source of tension between Turkey on one side, Greece and Cyprus on the other due to oil and gas exploration operations. (end)
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