The United States and European Union expressed over the weekend “deep” concern over Turkey’s plans to start exploratory drilling for oil and gas off Cyprus "The United States is deeply concerned by Turkeys announced intentions to begin offshore drilling operations in an area claimed by the Republic of Cyprus as its Exclusive Economic Zone," State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said on Sunday. "This step is highly provocative and risks raising tensions in the region. We urge Turkish authorities to halt these operations and encourage all parties to act with restraint." The statements came after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said "we are starting drilling" in the region. Turkey and the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government have overlapping claims of jurisdiction for offshore oil and gas research in the eastern Mediterranean, a region thought to be rich in natural gas. Cavusoglu said that Turkish seismic research vessel Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa was continuing work in the region. "We will conduct drilling in areas of Turkeys continental shelf and we are starting our drilling work at points identified by Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa," he said in northern Cyprus on Saturday. The government of the Republic of Cyprus controls only two thirds of the Mediterranean island, the northern third of which is controlled by the Turkish-backed breakaway administration. The Cyprus foreign ministry said it "strongly condemns" Turkeys drilling operations within its exclusive economic zone. "This provocative action by Turkey constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus," it said on Saturday. Turkey first announced it would be drilling for oil and gas off Cyprus in February. The discovery of gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has prompted claims by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government and Ankara. European Union member Cyprus has been pressing to develop offshore gas deposits and has signed deals with energy giants Eni, Total and ExxonMobil that have seen them carry out exploratory drilling. Ankara claims that such exploration deprives the Turkish Cypriot minority of benefiting from the natural resources that surround the island. The US statement followed similarly worded comments on Saturday by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who expressed "grave concern" about Turkeys intentions. "In March 2018, the European Council strongly condemned Turkeys continued illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean," she added. "In this context, we urgently call on Turkey to show restraint," she added, warning that the EU would "respond appropriately to any illegal action that violated Cypruss rights". The Turkish Foreign Ministry subsequently issued a statement rejecting Mogherinis comments and saying that Ankara would protect its interests and the rights of northern Cyprus. Any escalation between Turkey and the United States could put more pressure on relations already strained on several fronts, including missile defense and military operations in Syria. Cavusoglu said in February that Turkey would soon begin drilling for oil and gas near Cyprus. Ankara launched its first drill ship in October off the coast of Turkeys southern Antalya province. The ship was located 70 km (45 miles) off the west coast of Cyprus on Monday, Refinitiv Eikon shipping data shows. On Friday Turkey sent out a message on NAVTEX, the international maritime navigational telex system, announcing its vessels would be carrying out drilling operations in the Mediterranean until September. According to reports in Cypriot media, the operation will encroach on Cypruss exclusive economic zone. Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Turkey, says that any offshore wealth also belongs to them, as partners in the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. The island was divided in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Countless peacemaking endeavors have failed and offshore resources have increasingly complicated peace negotiations.