With a delay of almost 24 hours, the Turkish Ministry of Energy finally announced that the Yavuz drilling rig had returned to the port for maintenance purposes, according to SIGMA's correspondent in Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολη, Turkish: İstanbul), Maria Zacharaki.
In a statement similar to the one given when the Oruç Reis returned to port, claims that it returned for maintenance, supply and preparation work for his next mission.], the Yavuz had now made the announcement too.
"Completing the work that started on the Selcukos-1 section on April 24, the Yavuz drilling rig returned to the port of Tasuju to prepare for its next shipment and for maintenance and supply work," the Turkish Energy Ministry statement said.
"After the preparations at the port, Yavuz will continue its drilling at a new location," the statement added.
Turkey continually violates Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) despite threats of sanctions by December from the European Union if it does not end its violations of the Greek and Cypriot sovereignty.
Turkey's other research vessel, the Barbaros, is still conducting seismic surveys and sweeping the Cypriot seabed in the sea area east-southeast of Ayia Napa.
