tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175681583743369857.post6827378109590225638..comments2024-03-28T08:13:41.085+02:00Comments on EL Etos UT News: Ανακοίνωση Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών σχετικά με τη στάση της Τουρκίας στο Κυπριακόxronoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13107445158803745642noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175681583743369857.post-15255320967650053562014-10-09T21:36:01.265+03:002014-10-09T21:36:01.265+03:00Hellenic Foreign Ministry announcement regarding T...Hellenic Foreign Ministry announcement regarding Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue ...<br /><br /> Hellenic MFA, Thursday, 09 October 2014:<br /> <br />“It is sad and paradoxical that Turkey has decided to provoke new tension that undermines the negotiation process for the resolution of the Cyprus issue at a time when, first, the international community’s attention is focused on the struggle against the Islamic state and confronting the many crisis hotspots in the Middle East and North Africa, and, second, the negotiations are under way in Cyprus, within the framework of the Joint Communiqué of 11 February 2014, and the Secretary General’s new Special Envoy has just taken up his duties.<br /><br />Unfortunately, at the center of these choices is Turkey’s refusal to see that the Republic of Cyprus is an independent and sovereign state, a member of the UN and the European Union, that exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights, in accordance with international law. The exercising of these rights includes the maritime zones provided for by the Law of the Sea; more specifically, the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf.<br /><br />It has repeatedly been made crystal clear by the Republic of Cyprus and President Nicos Anastasiades himself that the benefits accruing from the exploitation of the Republic of Cyprus’ offshore mineral wealth belong to all Cypriot citizens. Moreover, within the framework of the agreed solution that is being pursued on the Cyprus issue, competency for issues concerning the exploitation of natural resources and mineral wealth, as well as matters pertaining to the exercising of sovereign rights, will belong to the central government.<br /><br />It is thus totally contradictory for the Republic of Cyprus to come under accusation for basic moves activating its sovereign rights and exploitation of mineral wealth to the benefit of all the Cypriot people, when it is Turkey that, through its illegal NAVTEX, threatens to compromise these sovereign rights.<br /><br />It is also paradoxical for Turkey to turn, with regard to the Cyprus issue, in the direction of Greece. Greece does not not stand accused internationally of military invasion and illegal occupation and settlement, and respects the institutions and processes of the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot Community, which is expressed democratically through its leadership. Greece is contributing constructively to the progress of the negotiations, including through the reciprocal meetings being held in Athens and Ankara with the negotiators for the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Communities.<br /><br />But Turkey should not judge others based on its own conduct, seeing Greece’s stance on the Cyprus issue or Greece’s relationship with the Republic of Cyprus as being the same as its own position, its own responsibility, and its own potential for exerting influence on the Turkish Cypriot Community, in the name of which it issues announcements.<br /><br />If Turkey wants to, it can contribute effectively to the new talks between the two leaders, to the progress of the negotiations, and to the stability of the Eastern Mediterranean, through moves that respect international law and in acceptance of the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a member state of the UN and the European Union, with national sovereignty and national sovereign rights.”<br />mfa.gr<br />9/10/14Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com