Mike Pompeo 'deeply concerned' over Turkey's actions in Eastern Mediterranean

The US Secretary of State flew into Cyprus to discuss the dispute with the Cypriot president

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan takes part in a video conference with Turkish drilling vessel 'Fatih' before announcing the biggest natural gas discovery in history, in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan takes part in a video conference with Turkish drilling vessel 'Fatih' before announcing the biggest natural gas discovery in history, in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA

Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and Energy Minister Fatih Donmez pose with members of Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) on the deck of drilling vessel Fatih in the western Black Sea, off Turkey. REUTERS

Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and Energy Minister Fatih Donmez pose on the deck of drilling vessel 'Fatih' in the western Black Sea, off Turkey. Reuters

The Turkish drilling ship, 'Fatih', had been carrying out exploration operations in the Tuna-1 sector in the western Black Sea for the past month. Reuters

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the natural gas reserve, at 320 billion cubic metres, is the biggest in Turkish history. EPA

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan addresses the nation. Reuters

Turkey aims to bring the find to use in 2023 and to become a net energy exporter, Mr Erdogan said. EPA

The announcement comes as tensions between Turkey and Greece, and EU nations, are running high over oil and gas exploration in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters

Mr Erdogan listens to Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and Energy Minister Fatih Donmez on a live video feed about the find. Reuters

People watch the TV at a coffee house while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces the biggest natural gas discovery in history in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA

People watch the at a cafe TV while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces the biggest natural gas discovery in history in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed consternation at Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean in a meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

"We remain deeply concerned about Turkey’s ongoing operations searching for natural resources in areas over which Greece and Cyprus assert jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Mr Pompeo said after the meeting.

The brief meeting in Cyprus's capital city Nicosia comes hours after Mr Pompeo was in Qatar for Afghan-Taliban peace talks so he is well accustomed to mediating internecine conflicts.

Tensions flared in August after Turkey resumed gas exploration in an area where its claims are contested by Cyprus, and began naval exercises and energy surveys in waters where Turkey and Greece both assert exclusive economic rights. The resumption has prompted the EU to sanction Turkey.

Turkey and Greece, both NATO members, have since deployed their navies to the area, and France has started expanding its military presence there in reaction to Turkey’s steps.

The French intervention prompted Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday to warn France "not to mess" with his country.

“Any disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean should be resolved through dialogue and not by gunboat diplomacy,” Mr Anastasiades said.

He also called on Turkey to stop its aggressive provocative actions in order to restart Cyprus’s reunification talks.

“Unlawful activities, despite repeated calls on Ankara to refrain from provocative actions, should be immediately terminated,” he added.