K. Piri Reis
The Turkish research vessel "Piri Reis", which left the port of Urla for the shores of Cyprus to conduct exploration operations in the continental shelf of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, will complete some operations in about 1,000 square kilometer-water area today, Anadolu reported. According to the agency, if the Turkish Petroleum Corporation gives the new coordinates for research, "Piri Reis" will start the second phase of exploring hydrocarbon deposits. After Nicosia began working to develop the shelf near the shores of the island, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara will explore for oil and gas in the exclusive economic zone of Northern Cyprus along with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Erdogan and President Dervis Eroglu of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) signed in New York on Wednesday an agreement on the delineation of the continental shelf between two countries in the East Mediterranean.