Assigning to Turkey part of the ownership rights on Cyprus’ under-the-sea wealth is worth consideration as a solution in the energy stalemate with the country, according to Cyprus Mail.

The area around Cyprus holds potentially huge reserves of natural gas, and while a host of foreign states and companies have made agreements with the Greek Cyprus to conduct gas exploration, Turkey, as the only country to recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has firmly opposed exploration that it says will infringe on Turkish Cypriots’ rights.

Turkey objects to Greek and Cypriot activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claimed by the Greek Cypriot administration. Ankara argues that the Greek Cypriot EEZ infringes on Turkey’s own continental shelf.

Meanwhile, Athens and Nicosia have repeatedly said Turkey is violating international law with its claims and drilling activity near Cyprus. Tensions have flared in recent months as the drilling and exploration has progressed.

According to the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (Unclos), ‘’every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea, up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles (or 22 kilometres) from its coastline.