Category: Main Issues

United Nations Day marked by continuous brutal violations of International Laws by Turkey in Cyprus – Greece

Greek Vice President of the government and Minister of Foreign Affairs Evangelos Venizelos (standing on his side the Foreign Minister of South Cyprus Mr. Kasoulides)

In what is normally a rather typical statement in regard to the celebration of the United Nations Day, the Greek government on Friday took the opportunity to pinpoint and denounce what it calls “systematic violations” of the UN’s basic principles in Cyprus by Turkey.

Evangelos Venizelos, Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Greece said Ankara does not respect the sovereign rights of UN member countries, does not refrain from “offensive actions and threats in applying force”, is not “dedicated to the peaceful solution of differences”, and “does not respect international laws”.

Venizelos referred to Cyprus as “unfortunately, an actual example” of what he previously referred to regarding Ankara’s behaviour.

The Republic of Cyprus is recognized by all UN member states except Turkey, he said, and yet this country “40 years from the invasion and occupation of the northern part of the island, continues to violate brutally international law”.

The Greek minister referred to “recent activities” of the Turkish exploration vessel Barbaros in sea waters which he says are internationally designated as belonging and being part of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Cyprus Republic.

“This is yet another violation,” he said, of the UN’s Law of the Sea Convention, in an area where Cyprus has the exclusive sovereign right to search for and exploit natural resources.

Greek media have been quick to underline the fact that almost all statements made by the Greek government on UN Day are focused on what it calls “recent offensive actions” by Turkey in Cyprus’ EEZ. Some regard this as “a deliberately chosen reminder to the UN that such offensive actions and violations have been exercised by Turkey in Cyprus for 40 years now”.

Political analysts have also noted that the Foreign Ministry’s statement could also be regarded as a reaction of sorts to what Athens saw as “a neutral encouragement” by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon towards both sides in Cyprus to return to their bicommunal negotiations, “without previously condemning Turkey’s recent behaviour”.

  Küfi Seydali

Comment by Küfi Seydali

Very funny and interesting indeed that Mr. Venizelos seem to remember only the past 40 years after which the table has been turned in Cyprus, not particularly to his country’s favour. He forgot the Ethniki Eteria-EOKA within the activities of the “Megalo Idea” aiming at annexing Cyprus to Greece (1955). Who’s national was General Grivas who led the terror organisation EOKA? Who sent weapons and troops clandestinely to Cyprus? Who attempted to exterminate the Turkish Cypriot population (1963 – 1974)? Who toppled Makarios in 1974 and practically declared ENOSIS. Who did Makarios accuse of invasion in front of the Security Council of the UN in July 1974?

Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiades seem to be playing Russian Roulette, just like Makarios did in the pre 1974 days.

Russian naval exercises in the eastern mediterranean are no good omen for the already heated region! Particularly considering that Anastasiades has left the peace negotiations, this can only be seen as an adventure which can only bring further disasters to Cyprus.

Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiades with Vladimir Putin

RUSSIA’s decision to hold navy exercises in waters east of the island on Monday, the same day Turkey intends to send its seismic research vessel into Cypriot offshore blocks, is no coincidence, government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said yesterday.

Speaking to the public broadcaster from Milan, Christodoulides said: “Nothing is by chance in politics.”

He made the comments after President Nicos Anastasiades met Russian President Vladimir Putin late on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Milan.

The two leaders sat next to each other for two hours during an official dinner for visiting heads of state and government, hosted by the Italian President, current rotating head of the EU Presidency.

According to Christodoulides, the two men had an extensive discussion on EU-Russia relations, bilateral relations and the Cyprus problem, with emphasis on Turkey’s decision to issue a NAVTEX reserving large swathes of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for seismic studies, resulting in Anastasiades suspending peace talks.

“President Putin reaffirmed the Russian position of principle with regard to both the solution of the Cyprus problem and the inalienable right of the Republic of Cyprus to exploit its natural resources within its EEZ, and characterised any violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus as unacceptable,” said the spokesman in a written statement.

Speaking later to CyBC, the spokesman said the two leaders had a “very good discussion”. Putin was well aware of what was going on in Cyprus’ EEZ regarding Turkey’s unprecedented decision to announce seismic research and possible drilling south of Cyprus, in blocks already licenced to Italian-Korean consortium ENI-KOGAS.

“He knew about the positions of Nicosia within the EU regarding discussions on sanctions against Russia,” said Christodoulides, in reference to Cyprus’ efforts to dampen enthusiasm for wide-reaching sanctions against Moscow within the European Council over its activities in eastern Ukraine.

The two leaders agreed to stay in contact, said the spokesman, adding that a lot of discussion was had at a European level with Russia on relations between the two sides.

“Moscow recognises the constructive and balanced role played by Cyprus. So, we will see the developments within that framework, and then depending, proceed with an exchange of visits,” between Anastasiades and Putin, said Christodoulides.

The four-day Russian navy drills will be taking place inside the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) in a reserved area stretching from off Cape Apostolos Andreas in the occupied northeastern tip to the coast of Syria.

“We were informed from the first moment by the Russian side. We’re talking about the Nicosia FIR, so the Cyprus Republic had to be informed.”

A joint Cyprus-Israel search and rescue exercise in Cyprus’ FIR is also scheduled for next Tuesday.

The seating arrangements at the Milan dinner will likely become the subject of much discussion back home, as the president’s relations with Moscow have recently come under heavy fire from opposition parties.

According to reports, the government actively sought a meeting with Putin at the summit.

Anastasiades came under a barrage of criticism last week for his Westpolitik – realignment of foreign policy to sit unreservedly in the ranks of the west, particularly under the leadership of the United States. Opposition parties argued this came at the expense of traditional relations with Moscow, which has always been willing to help Cyprus change the odd word or sentence in a UN Security Council Resolution, or even use its veto.

Condemnation from the opposition heightened after the US issued a lukewarm response to Turkey’s stated intention to search and drill for gas south of the island, off the Limassol coastline.

The government may have pointed to diplomatic activity taking place behind the scenes, but the presidential palace’s disappointment was palpable at the lack of firm vocal support from the US.

It’s likely that the ongoing siege by Islamic State forces against Syrian Kurds in Kobani, and Ankara’s calculated game of brinkmanship regarding possible intervention, depending on the establishment of a safety zone and no-fly zone in north Syria, has been the US State Department’s main priority at present.

The announcement of the Russian naval exercise would have given the Cypriot government something tangible to present to the public, however, since beyond its bark, Nicosia has little to bite with.

It remains to be seen whether dinner with Putin marks a return to the island’s traditional Ostpolitik or whether Anastasiades will ride the storm and continue investing in a future under the umbrella of western influence.

ON THE sidelines of the ASEM Summit, Anastasiades also held separate meetings yesterday with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Discussion focused on Turkey’s intention to violate Cyprus’ sovereign rights at a time when ENI-KOGAS is in the process of drilling in its offshore block 9 concession.

During the meetings, Cyprus’ sovereign rights were reaffirmed, as was the need for uninterrupted drilling within its EEZ.

The spokesman said all the president’s interlocutors responded very positively. “Nobody can justify Turkey’s intentions. More so for those states that have particularly sensitivities in the eastern Mediterranean. They are more concerned than Scandinavian countries, you can understand why, because there is more concern in our region regarding Turkey’s intentions.”

  Küfi Seydali