South pushes on in gas drilling

Greek Cyprus will continue exploration for gas in the Mediterranean, President Christofias says, accusing Turkey for causing tension in the region. Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias said yesterday that the island would press ahead with gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and the plans were within its sovereign rights. “On the possibility of Turkey committing an unlawful act, something which we hope will not happen, we will expect a strong and effective response from the international community,” Christofias said in a statement. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot President Dervis Eroglu said Monday that a delegation headed by his special envoy Kudret Ozersay would pay a visit to Ankara on tomorrow and discuss with Turkish officials the steps that would be taken if the Greek Cypriot administration gave a negative response to calls for postponing oil and natural gas exploration activities.