THE Government has warned that there will be serious implications for the process of peace talks, if the Turkish provocations in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) continue and if there is any harassment of the companies operating in it.
“Harassment in any manner of the Company which operates within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic, it is in no way compatible with the orderly conduct of the talks, ” said Sunday Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides
Speaking in Limassol, Christodoulides said that on Friday evening, Turkey issued a directive to seafarers (NAVTEX), which binds some areas within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus and that the Cyprus Republic directly adopted a directive which proved the illegality of Turkey`s Directive.
The issue, he noted, was particularly important since was violating the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and the rights of the company ENI-KOGAS, active within the EEZ of Cyprus, following an agreement with the Republic.
“We have made representations and will continue to make,” said the Spokesman suggesting that the Cyprus Government expects all those who have publicly talked about the inalienable sovereign right of Cyprus to exploit its Exclusive Economic Zone, to help terminating such occurrences. ”
Nikos Christodoulides said that “harassment in any way of the company which operates within the EEZ of the Republic, is in no way compatible with the orderly conduct of the talks,” adding that “this is a clear message that we expect to reach its target and to have results. ”
Asked if whether he meant even the ending of the talks, the government spokesman said that for such serious issues what counts most are the deeds and not words and that the Government was constantly assessing the situation.
He noted that a relevant a meeting was held on Saturday at Ministerial level, in the presence of technocrats and that the Cypriot Government was expecting to see the developments.
Christodoulides also said that yesterday`s statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry that followed the directive to seafarers, was reproducing the well – known Turkish argument that lacks any legal or other arguments.”
He expressed the view that it may be an indication of the inability of Turkey to deal with the problems of the region and possibly through such actions may want to create a crisis or other problems.”
“Our position is clear, accepted by the entire international community and we will continue our actions based on these data,” he said.
Consortium ENI/KOGAS has been awarded exploration licenses in Cyprus` EEZ, in Blocks 2,3 and 9.
ENI completed 2 seismic surveys, and is planning to drill 6 wells in the coming 18
months.
Exploration and appraisal drilling in Block 12 of Cyprus` EEZ by Noble Energy&Delek has shown estimated reserves of 3.6 Tcf to 6 Tcf, namely 5 Tcf. Further exploration is planned by the consortium.
Turkey to prove that has no interest to maintain troops in Cyprus
—–
If the actual position of the Turkish President is that is not in Turkey`s interest to maintain troops in Cyprus, we expect to see that through concrete actions, not words, said the Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides.
Invited to comment on what had followed the statements of Vice President of the United States Joe Biden on Turkey in a Harverd`s forum, Nikos Christoudoulidis said he would not comment on the dialogue and communications between the American and the Turkish Government, but he would rather stand in Biden`s statement that Turkish President had stated that it would not be in Turkey`s interest to have troops in Cyprus.
“We believe in this, that there is no benefit for Turkey indeed there is a cost, but if that`s the real position and view of the Turkish President, we expect to see it through concrete actions and deeds, not words,” he said.
Cyprus has been divided 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-backed peace talks has been under way since last February aiming to reunite the country under a federal roof.
— (KYPE)
Published by: www.famagusta-gazette.com
