US doesn't expect any problems with Turkey

US Ambassador in Nicosia Kathleen Doherty said Washington does not expect any moves from Turkey regarding vessels conducting surveys within Cyprus’ EEZ for ExxonMobil.

Doherty, during a press conference on Wednesday, clarified that ExxonMobil’s activities “in the immediate few weeks right now is a survey vessel and we don’t expect any problems."

She also pointed out that it often takes several years, maybe even decades, before all the conditions are right for revenues to begin flowing from energy resources.

"Exploratory activities do not necessarily mean there is a find. Even if there is a deposit, it may not be possible or feasible to commercialize it," said Doherty.

"It often takes several years, even decades, before all the conditions are right for revenues to begin flowing. Political stability, economic growth, and regional security all play large roles in the sequencing of events," she added.

And she stressed that the best way to work out how to share resources would be to have a Cyprus settlement.

"We believe the island’s oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between both communities in the context of an overall settlement."

Doherty said a lasting settlement of the Cyprus Problem "would greatly facilitate the development of the resources and would help ensure they benefit all Cypriots".

Turkey is opposed to Cyprus' energy searched and blocked an Italian ENI drillship from entering the island's EEZ last month.

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell is due in Nicosia on Friday to discuss the Cyprus problem, and the government's energy search.