Minister urges Turkey to contribute to Cyprus solution

The government has challenged Turkey to actively contribute to a political settlement in Cyprus, instead of threatening and being intransigent in its approach towards a solution.

“The UN peace talks are up against the divisive intransigence of the Turkish side, which refuses to acknowledge convergences or close proximity of positions on certain negotiating chapters, seeking a final deadlock of the ongoing dialogue with a view to upgrade the status of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime,” Defence Minister Demetris Eliades has said.

He referred to Ankara’s threats against Cyprus, following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone. Turkey has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

Recalling that the international community recognises Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore its natural resources, the Minister said “this acknowledgement acts as a protection net in moral, political and legal terms.”

“Turkey is faced with a great challenge: to cooperate for a solution to bring freedom and peace which would allow all its legal citizens to live in conditions of safety and reap the benefits of the country’s wealth,” he pointed out.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

Drilling for oil has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

via Minister urges Turkey to contribute to Cyprus solution.