The Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa vessel has set out to Güzelyurt in the Mediterranean, just northwest of the Cypriot island, to continue conducting seismic operations. The vessel will carry out seismic surveys in the region declared as an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by the United Nations.

Having taken action in order to increase its energy efficiency, Turkey accelerated its gas exploration activities in the Mediterranean. The Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa vessel, slated to continue its seismic survey operations in the Mediterranean, set out from Magosa, a port city on the island, to Güzelyurt.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak said in his earlier statement that the seismic surveys in Magosa were completed and that the next step will be Güzelyurt.

Stating that Turkey will play a more effective role in the Mediterranean along with the studies in Güzelyurt, Minister Albayrak said, "Güzelyurt is important for us. This field was referred to the U.N. especially in this regard specific to our continental shelf and registered accordingly by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Search and drilling activities will be launched after seismic detail and analysis reports."

The West Capella vessel went to Cyprus on behalf of the French company Total and Italian energy company Eni to conduct drilling activities in an area called 11th Block located in the so called exclusive economic zone, and the Turkish navy announced on Thursday that the TGC Gökçeada frigate had taken Southern Cyprus's drilling vessel under surveillance.

The move came after Ankara strongly condemned the planned activity following the news yesterday, calling Greek Cyprus "insincere" and announcing they will take steps against what it called unilateral decisions. Right before Turkey sent the frigate, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu criticized Greek Cypriot activities in the Mediterranean and said that Turkey will take necessary measures against the Southern Cypriot's unilateral claims on the island's natural reserves.