Turkey has issued a new navigational warning as it sends the research vessel Oruc Reis to the Eastern Mediterranean for surveys linked to a planned undersea natural gas pipeline connecting southern Turkey with the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus.

NAVTEX 0953/26, issued by the Antalya hydrographic station, covers waters stretching from Turkey’s southern coast toward northern Cyprus. The notice is in effect through late October. The Oruc Reis is expected to carry out preparatory work for the pipeline project, accompanied by the vessels Denar Pathfinder, Denar Echo and Kirici.

The planned pipeline would carry natural gas between Turkey and northern Cyprus. A memorandum signed earlier this year envisages a roughly 97-kilometer subsea link. Construction could move relatively quickly once surveys are completed, with much of the pipeline reportedly already built.

The project follows an earlier undersea pipeline that has supplied northern Cyprus with water from Turkey for several years.

Ankara’s infrastructure projects are part of its broader policy of strengthening economic and strategic links with the Turkish Cypriot north.

Source: Ekathimerini.com