Turkey's determination to seek natural gas off Cyprus, despite Greek Cypriots' objection, reflects Ankara's willingness to force Nicosia's hand in stalled settlement talks between Greek and Turkish communities.

"It is obvious that Turkey raises the stake in the game by aggressively claiming drilling rights for Turkish Cypriots," Idris Gursoy, an analyst in the Turkish capital, told Xinhua, adding that "Turkey makes it clear it will not let a fait accompli by the Greek side on the island in gas exploration rights."

Earlier this month Turkey issued a maritime advisory called NAVTEX, notifying mariners that Ankara was reserving areas south of Cyprus for seismic surveys from October 20 to December 30. Turkish exploration ship Barbaros, escorted by gunships, entered Cyprus' exclusive economic zone the south of the island on Tuesday.

The Greek Cypriots have responded to the Turkish action by suspending the UN-sponsored reunification talks that have been going on since they were launched in February between Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities. Nicosia has accused Ankara of violating the island's sovereign rights and international law, which, however, Ankara has disputed.

"We have the right to conduct seismic studies there, according to agreements signed between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). We will always use this right," Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, as the breakaway TRNC is only recognized by Turkey as a sovereign state.

"The Barbaros ship will continue to do its seismic studies (off Cyprus) ... nobody should try to create a crisis," Davutoglu said this week, stressing that "Turks have just as much a right (to extract resources from) Cyprus's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone."

The issue has increased the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, where the civil war in Syria, threat by the Islamic State militants and unresolved Israel-Palestine conflict have all taken a toll on the security of the region.

Greek Cypriots have already licensed exploratory and drilling rights in several areas in an exclusive economic zone without clearing it with Turkish Cypriots. Ankara challenges Nicosia by saying that the rich natural resources must be shared equally between the two governments of the divided island. "These resources shall be used as resources of the unified Cyprus state," the Turkish prime minister said.

Greek Cypriots have declared they will take measures against Turkey, including blocking negotiations between the European Union (EU) and Turkey, as well as lodging a formal complaint to the United Nations.

Turkey, however, urged the EU to reject Greek Cypriot's actions with the EU Minister and Chief Negotiator, Volkan Bozkir, saying that Turkey will not let the EU membership process be undermined by such outbursts.

Both the United States and the EU have urged the two sides to show restraint.

The United States believes the natural resources located in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone should be "equitably shared" between the island's two communities, US State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said. "And it's important, I think, to avoid actions that may increase tensions in the region," she added.

Similar comments were also made in Brussels, as President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy urged parties to respect the sovereignty of others.

On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concerns on the escalating tension between Turkey and Cyprus. After meeting with the special adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, the UN chief underscored the need for the parties in Cyprus to return to the negotiating table without delay, according to a UN statement.

Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu sent a letter to Ban last week, calling for re-launching negotiations with the Greek Cyprus. However, Turkey may be seeking to extract some concessions from Greek Cypriots before allowing Turkish Cypriots to return to the negotiation table.

"For now, I think there must be some concessions and compromises for the Greek Cypriots to return to the table, as it will be strategic for the Turkish side to demand just that," Turkish expert Gunal Kursun said.

In late 2011 a US company found rich gas reserves the south of Cyprus. Greek Cypriots have already approved concessions to French, Italian, and South Korean energy companies.

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied the northern part of the island after a coup by Greek army junta officers. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared in November 1983, but recognized only by Turkey.