MOSCOW, May 4 (Itar-Tass) — The exploration of oil and gas offshore deposits around Cyprus by a Turkish company may worsen the situation in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Friday.

He recalled that on April 26 a Turkish company started drilling in northern Cyprus in search for hydrocarbon reserves.

“Such actions can deteriorate the current situation on the territory of Cyprus,” the diplomat said.