Turkish ship started on Monday gas exploration near the coasts of Cyprys, as the dispute on the divided island resumed with leader of Greece and Turkey held talks warning each other.

Turkish ship started on Monday gas exploration near the coasts of Cyprys, as the dispute on the divided island resumed with leader of Greece and Turkey held talks warning each other.

The Piri Reis began geophysical surveys and seismic data collection on Monday, Turkish Cypriot prime minister, Irsen Kucuk, said on Turkish state media.

For its part, Greek Cypriot also began a program of oil and gas drilling last week, prompting strong protests from Turkey.
Cyprus is divided into the Greek Cypriot south and breakaway Turkish Cypriot north. However, Turkish Cypriot has not been recognized but by Ankara.

The Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou, spoke with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan via telephone on Monday, urging "restraint" on the part of all countries in the eastern Mediterranean, Greek government spokesman Elias Mosialos said.
Papandreou also said that the Greek government backs any activities carried out by the government in Cyprus under its sovereign rights.

Erdogan said that "unilateral" exploration by any side could damage reunification talks and that the Greek Cypriot government should not begin any activities related to oil and gas exploration until a peace accord has been reached, the Associated Press reported, citing an official.

Greece said that any deal signed between Turkey and Turkish Cypriot north to explore for fuels is invalid under international law, as Turkey is the only country that recognises that government.

Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot government said that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot north should work towards the signing of a peace accord so that the entire population of the island can "enjoy the fruit of their cooperation", including any possible oil and gas wealth.