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Category: Cyprus/TRNC

Reports: Turkey to push for two-state Cyprus if UN talks fail

Davutoglu has reportedly noted that if this happens, a solution model based on two independent states will be adopted by the Turkish side instead of a bi-zonal bi-communal solution.

BY CEM BARBER AND CAROL AMENT / FG ONLINE

• Fri, Jan 13, 2012

TURKEY will push for a two-state solution in Cyprus if the current UN backed peace talks fail, according to reports from Ankara.

Turkish Cypriot daily “Haberdar” cites diplomatic sources quoting the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu as saying that the bi-zonal bi-communal solution model in Cyprus, will be abandoned in case the negotiations process comes to a deadlock “because of the stance of the Greek Cypriots”.

Davutoglu has reportedly noted that if this happens, a solution model based on two independent states will be adopted by the Turkish side instead of a bi-zonal bi-communal solution.

He argued that the negotiations, which will be launched in the future, will be based on two independent states.

Earlier this week the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities that time is running out for a settlement on re-uniting the island.

In a letters to Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Ban said he worried that opportunities to successfully conclude negotiations will be limited once the Republic of Cyprus takes up the presidency of the European Union (EU) in July.

It is reported, but not verified, that Ankara has also acquired the support of the international community on this issue.

The sources said that Turkeys accession process to the EU has already come to a deadlock because of the stance of the Republic of Cyprus and added that the Turkish side could not be cornered further.

Meanwhile, under the banner front-page headlines Two separate states, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes cites information broadcast by Turkish NTV television and ABhaber website, which argued that Turkeys Plan B is ready in case the Cyprus talks collapse.

Both sources argued that if no solution is reached by July when the Republic of Cyprus will overtake the EU term presidency, Ankara will change the basic parameters [of the negotiations].

Ban is scheduled to meet the two leaders in New York on January 23-24 in a final drive to bring the two sides closer to a solution.

In his letter, Ban called for a more active role of both leaders in their negotiations which have been going on for almost three and a half years.

Ban’s letter said the leaders had outlined their respective views on a settlement, calling this an important effort, but hinted that much more remained to be done.

Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2011

via Reports: Turkey to push for two-state Cyprus if UN talks fail.

January 16, 2012
Turkey to complete water project to Turkish Cyprus in four stages

“Mr. Prime Minister asked us to complete the construction on March 7, 2014,” Eroglu said.

Turkey’s forestry & water works minister said on Saturday that Turkey would complete the water project regarding Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in four stages.

Veysel Eroglu said the idea to transport water to TRNC from Turkey was developed when Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was Istanbul metropolitan mayor.

“The water project was launched in 2003, and we will complete the project in four stages,” Eroglu told TRNC’s Bayrak Radio and Television (BRT).

Eroglu said the first stage was construction of Alakopru dam in Turkish southern town of Anamur, and Turkey laid the foundation of the dam on March 7, 2011.

“Mr. Prime Minister asked us to complete the construction on March 7, 2014,” Eroglu said.

Eroglu said the pipeline that would carry water to Gecitkoy dam would be 107 kilometers long, and it would carry 75 million cubic meters of water.

“75 million cubic meters of potable water can be provided to 750,000 people, and some of it will be used as potable water and some of it for irrigation purposes,” he said.

Eroglu said, “this water can be peace water.”

The minister said he would visit TRNC this year to discuss efforts to counter forest fires and to plant new trees.

Moreover, Eroglu said 2012 could bring peace to the island, and Turkey would continue to support Turkish Cypriots.

AA

January 8, 2012
Noble’s Cyprus Gas Discovery May Be Complicated by Turkey

By Mike Lee and Stelios Orphanides

(Updates with closing share price in 10th paragraph.)

Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) — Noble Energy Inc.’s plans to develop as much as 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas off the coast of Cyprus may be complicated by a dispute with Turkey over development of the field.

The discovery may hold 5 trillion to 8 trillion cubic feet of gas, Houston-based Noble Energy said in a statement today. The field, which lies in the Mediterranean Sea between Cyprus and Israel, covers 40 square miles (100 square kilometers) and requires more appraisal before development, the company said.

Turkey doesn’t recognize the Greek Cypriot government and in September it sent an exploration vessel accompanied by warships and fighter jets to the area after Noble started drilling. Cyprus is divided after Turkey invaded the northern third of the island in 1974. Development projects should await resolution of the island’s political status, Turkey has said.

“The politics are going to get more and more complicated as you get closer to development,” said John Malone, an analyst at Global Hunter Securities LLC in New York.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon summoned Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Dervish Eroglu, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, to New York for a new round of talks in January to reunify the island.

The discovery is in his nation’s “exclusive economic zone,” Christofias said at a press conference in Nicosia today. “Cyprus is coming into Europe’s energy map with prospects of substantially contributing to the EU’s energy security.”

Levant Basin

The U.S. Geological survey estimates that the Levant Basin, a triangular slice of the Mediterranean lying between Cyprus and Israel, may hold 122 trillion cubic feet of gas. Noble Energy discovered about 9 trillion cubic feet of gas at the Tamar field in 2009 and as much as 20 trillion cubic feet at the Leviathan field in 2010, both off the Israeli coast.

The Cyprus field is the first discovered off the nation’s coast. At current gas prices of about $4 per million British thermal units, the find would be worth $32 billion, said Constantinos Hadjitassou, energy researcher at the University of Cyprus.

Noble Energy operates the Cyprus well and owns a 70 percent share. Delek Drilling-LP and Avner Oil Exploration LLP each hold a 15 percent stake, it said.

Noble Energy fell 1.7 percent to $94.02 at the close in New York. Expectations for the Cyprus field were high, Michael Hall, an analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co., wrote in a note to clients, and “were recently increased following the upgrade of Leviathan potential and rumors that Cyprus could represent Noble’s largest eastern Mediterranean prospect.”

More Drilling

Avner climbed to the highest level since April 28, advancing 2 percent to 2.418 shekels at the close in Tel Aviv. Delek gained 1.6 percent to 14.15 shekels, the highest since Jan. 17.

Cyprus’s government announced a second oil and gas licensing round on Nov. 23 that will cover 12 of 13 blocks in the ocean south of the island. Turkey said on Dec. 9 it will begin exploring for oil and gas off the northern part of Cyprus it controls within two months.

With enough to supply Cyprus for 150 years, gas from the Noble Energy discovery will be exported from the Mediterranean to Western Europe, said Pierre Godec, an oil-industry consultant. Exports will be complicated by historic tension among Cyprus’s Greek community and Turkey, said Godec, a former managing director of Elf Exploration UK Plc.

A pipeline for exports would have to be connected to systems that cross Turkey, he said. A plant to liquefy the fuel and ship it overseas would probably process gas from fields in Cyprus and Israel, Godec said.

“The whole area has good prospects for some more discoveries,” he said. “That is is going to change substantially the whole profile of Cyprus for the next five to 10 years.”

–With assistance from David Wethe in Houston and Benjamin Haas in New York. Editors: Tina Davis, Will Wade

To contact the reporters on this story: Mike Lee in Dallas at mlee326@bloomberg.net; Stelios Orphanides in Nicosia at sorphanides@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Susan Warren at susanwarren@bloomberg.net

via Noble’s Cyprus Gas Discovery May Be Complicated by Turkey – Businessweek.

December 29, 2011
Cyprus House President: the only problem in our region is Turkey

TURKEY is an expansionist state conspiring against the interests of Hellenism, President of the House, Yiannakis Omirou, stated today, adding that both the European and international community must realize as soon as possible that the problem lies in Turkey, who is a destabilizing factor.

Speaker of the House at the same time wished that the hydrocarbon reserves located in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are of good quantity and quality, to strengthen the struggle for a proper solution of the Cyprus problem.

In statements to the Press, after he had visited earlier today Michalakis Parides military camp, Omirou said that the Turkish threat is present, threatening the historic continuation of Hellenism in Cyprus, and for as long as occupation and Turkish threat exist, Greece and Cyprus must jointly confront Turkey, for the future of Hellenism.

He expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to Greek officers, permanent staff and soldiers serving in Cyprus. Omirou indicated that Greeces military presence in Cyprus is based on the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, but blood ties, as well as historical, religious and linguistic ties linking Cyprus to Hellenism are much more powerful than any contractual obligations.

Turkeys expansionism threatens Hellenism in general, as revealed by Turkeys former Foreign Minister Mesut Yilmaz who said that Turkish secret agents set forest fires in Greece during 1990s, in an attempt to destroy the countrys natural resources and wealth, Omirou said.

We do not wish to maintain bad relations with Turkish people on the contrary we want friendly relations. But we must realize that the prevailing state of affairs in Turkey, unfortunately, still maintains an expansive state, conspiring against the interests of Hellenism, House President underlined.

Omirou expressed Cyprus full support to Greeces attempts to face the economic crisis prevailing in the country. Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2011

via Cyprus House President: the only problem in our region is Turkey.

December 29, 2011
UN chief, Security Council urge Cypriot rivals to accelerate peace talks – The Washington Post

UN chief, Security Council urge Cypriot rivals to accelerate peace talks

By Associated Press, Published: December 14

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N.’s chief and its most powerful body urged rival Greek and Turkish Cypriots on Wednesday to accelerate peace negotiations aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean island.

Cyprus was split into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Turkish Cypriots declared an independent state in 1983, but only Turkey recognizes it and keeps 35,000 troops there.

Ban called on the rival leaders to maximize the pace and progress of their talks in Cyprus before meeting him again next month for two days of intensive negotiations outside New York City.

via UN chief, Security Council urge Cypriot rivals to accelerate peace talks – The Washington Post.

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December 15, 2011
Nicosia hails conclusions of Council about Turkey

Nicosia hails conclusions of Council about Turkey

Article | December 11, 2011 – 2:00pm

Cyprus’ government is satisfied with the content of the conclusions of the General Affairs Council that concern Turkey, said Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou, while commenting on the text of the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council of the European Union, at the Presidential Palace on 7 December.

In the conclusions, Turkey is urged to avoid any kind of threat or action directed against a member state and is called upon to commit itself to good neighbourly relations. It is evident that the EU indicates to Turkey to terminate the threats it launches against Cyprus in connection with the explorations that our country is conducting for hydrocarbons in the Cyprus EEZ. In the conclusions there is an extensive reference to Turkey’s Cyprus-related obligations as these are outlined in the Conclusions of December 2006 and in the Declaration of September 2005, which unfortunately Turkey has not fulfilled, so far, thus causing the EU’s deep dissatisfaction.

The Council underlines the need for full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol towards all member states. In the conclusions, an important reference is made on the fact that the non-discriminatory implementation would provide a significant boost to Turkey’s negotiation process.

In the absence of progress, the Council has decided to maintain its measures from 2006 which, as it is known, led to the freezing of eight accession chapters for Turkey. According to the conclusions, the Council expects Turkey to actively support the ongoing negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant resolutions, and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded.

via Nicosia hails conclusions of Council about Turkey | New Europe.

December 12, 2011