Greece and Russia rallied behind Cyprus yesterday in the island’s rights to explore for hydrocarbons in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and to condemn Turkish threats as the Cyprus Republic turned 51.
Greek Minister of National Defence Panos Beglitis, who attended yesterday’s parade, told reporters: “We are in close cooperation with Cyprus’ leadership, we are watching Turkey’s actions very closely, in a composed and decisive manner and I would like once again to denounce statements often made by the Turkish political leadership, as well as the policies followed.”
Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Vyacheslav Shumskiy said Moscow’s position was “absolutely clear” on the issue. “We were among the first countries to comment on that, and we totally support the sovereign right of the Cypriot people for exploitation of natural resources , this is totally in accordance with the international law and with the EU regulations, so there is no doubt about that,” he said.
The comments came amid increasing reports of military activity around the area of Block 12 within the Cyprus EEZ where American company Noble Energy has begun drilling.
Also the New York Times reported that NATO’s secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, had expressed disquiet about tensions over natural gas exploration in the Mediterranean between a newly assertive Turkey and Cyprus, as well as Turkey’s strained relations with Israel, saying that they were both “a matter of concern.”
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An officer of the Russian fleet, speaking to the ITAR-Tass news agency reportedly said that the aircraft would arrive in the region on November 19 for three months, carrying with it a large number of Russian fighters. A submarine was also mentioned for “patrol purposes” as part of exercises with other countries in the area. Politis said the arrival of the Russians coincided with the expected announcement by Noble of its initial drilling results.
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RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER BATTLE GROUP IN THE EEZ OF CYPRUS 30TH SEPTEMBER 2011
Moscow announced earlier that the Battle Group of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" from the North Sea (Barents Sea) will sail for the Eastern Mediterranean, near the Cyprus drilling of the "Plot 12", nearly three years after the last presence in the region!
The Battle Group of the aircraft will leave on 13 November for exercises in the Barents Sea and practiced for one week. Then on November 19 will begin its journey to the Mediterranean, but have not announced yet the ports will close.
The duration of the mission of the aircraft carrier battle group in the Mediterranean will be three months. The Admiral Kuznetsov and the ships of the convoy is expected to cross the Strait of Gibraltar in late November when he made known the results of the Cyprus drilling The naval force consisted of 6 destroyers, frigates and support ships!
Patrols in the area since Russian conventional submarine, but it seems it was that there should be more "persuasive" power projection to surface vessels. Of course no one expected that they would send the "Admiral Kuznetsov". Together with the Russian aircraft carrier will sail and the destroyer Admiral Chabanenko, heading Udaloy II. But analysts in the Russian capital said that "There is great interest in developments in Syria.
Russia has already sought permission from Cyprus to perform surveys in two "plots" which has now developed the ... Turkish Fleet! Clearer answer to Ankara can not exist.
The Russian aircraft is equipped with 19 aircraft Su-33, 4 Su-25 (impact) and 17 Ka-27 helicopters and transports a large number of nuclear warheads for use on missiles P-700 Granit.
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