FM spokesperson’s response to a Turkish FM announcement on exploitation of the EEZ and continental shelf of Cyprus

Hellenic MFA, Sunday, 05 October 2014: 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Koutras stated the following in response to journalists’ questions regarding a Turkish Foreign Ministry announcement on the exploitation of the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus:

“Turkey is aware, and at any rate ought to be aware, that respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in the EEZ and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus – that is, of a member state of the United Nations and the European Union – is an obligation for the whole of the international community. Cyprus cannot bear any further violation of international law. Turkey’s European course and the course of the negotiations in Cyprus hinge on Turkey’s conduct.”

mfa.gr

5/10/14

--

-

Related:

• FM spokesperson’s response to journalists’ questions regarding today’s statement’s from Turkish President Erdogan in occupied Cyprus

• "Η Τουρκία ετοιμάζεται να βάλει τρυπάνι στην κυπριακή ΑΟΖ" . -Αν ο πρωθυπουργός το εγκρίνει, συμπλήρωσε ο Γιλντίζ, «το σκάφος θα μπορούσε να εισέλθει στα βόρεια ή στα νότια της Κύπρου»

• Ελληνικό ΥΠΕΞ: Απαντητική επιστολή του ΥΠΕΞ Δ. Αβραμόπουλου προς τον ΥΠΕΞ της Τουρκίας Α. Νταβούτογλου 

• Press Release Regarding Drilling Activity of the Greek Cypriots (No: 311, 04 October 2014)...

Turkey follows with concern the Greek Cypriot Administration’s (GCA) continuing unilateral research activities of hydrocarbon resources in its so called Exclusive Economic Zone without taking into account the Turkish Cypriots’ detailed and concrete cooperation proposals for a fair sharing. Turkey supports the remarks made in the press release issued on 3 October 2014 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) upon the initiation of a new drilling activity by the GCA in the block area called 9.
The common objective and priority of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side is to reach a just and lasting negotiated settlement to the Cyprus issue, which has been lasting more than 50 years, based on the inherent constitutive power of the two peoples, their political equality and co-ownership of the Island. As a guarantor, Turkey is determined to maintain its constructive support, as has been the case up till now. Turkey, however, expects the GCA to refrain from acting as if it is the sole owner of the resources of the Island, to halt its unilateral research activities and to adopt an understanding with a view to establishing a new partnership. We also hope that this irresponsible attitude of the GCA will not have repercussions on the comprehensive negotiation process, which has resumed on the basis of the joint statement made on 11 February 2014 and which we expect to have positive results soon. We hope that the objective of securing a more prosperous future for both sides through the water that will be transported to the TRNC by the end of the year, the natural resources of the Island and other opportunities that will come up after the settlement is being shared by all parties. Nevertheless, as it was stated repeatedly, if the priority of the GCA is to act unilaterally over the natural resources, this will never be accepted.
Turkey calls on the international community to act in order to prevent the provocative and unilateral steps of the GCA. Until it is done, all kind of support to the TRNC’s future steps of conducting seismic research activities, acquiring a drilling platform and dispatching it to an area to be determined, which are necessary to protect its inherent rights over these resources, will be provided by us.

http://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-311_-04-october-2014_-press-release-regarding-drilling-activity-of-the-greek-cypriots.en.mfa

4/10/14

--

-

***So-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is recognized only from Turkey

--