Greek Cypriot Leader Nicos Anastasiades said he would not be pressured into returning to reunification talks and negotiate under threat or intimidation only to have a forced solution dictated by military might.
Addressing an official lunch in honour of Archbishop of America Demetrios, Anastasiades said that despite Turkey having promised many times to powerful strategic partners that it would contribute positively to the effort for reunification of the island, a few days ahead of the next round of talks it chose to reconfirm its intransigence with military operations which violate the Republic’s rights at sea.
Anastasiades has suspended Greek participation in the talks following Ankara’s decision to carry out seismic surveys in Cyprus exclusive economic zone.
Anastasiades reiterated that the island’s natural resources belonged to the state and the benefits would be enjoyed by all its inhabitants after a settlement of the problem.
Military threats and violations under the pretext of doing it on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots do not help in securing what is self evident, he said.
On the contrary, he added they weaken the prospects of finding a solution and of taking advantage of the incentive offered by natural resources.
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu urged the Greek Cypriot side to return to the talks without setting conditions.
Eroglu suggested that the international community ought to put pressure on the Greek Cypriots towards that end.
TRNC President Dervis Eroglu
Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will arrive on the island on November 7 ahead of a tripartite meeting between Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt the next day in Cairo.
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras
The Greek PM’s visit will be preceded by that of his Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, expected on Thursday.
He will be taking part in a meeting between the three countries’ foreign ministers on Wednesday.
Küfi Seydali