Olgun: Barbaros vessel’s seismic explorations south of Cyprus is an indication of the Turkish side’s will for a partnership
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (19.01.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Ergun Olgunhas alleged that the fact that Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel [illegally] holds seismic explorations in the south sea of Cyprus [in the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone] is an indication of the Turkish Cypriot side’s will for a partnership.
“If Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa was holding explorations in the north, it would have been said that the Turkish Cypriot side is following a separatist policy”, argued Olgun in an interview with Havadis claiming that the existence of Barbaros vessel “is the biggest power that will change the status quo”.
Commenting on the Greek Cypriot side’s statement that no negotiations are possible while Turkey’s NAVTEX is valid, Olgun argued: “It will have to think about it tomorrow when a platform comes there and starts drilling […] I think that the emergence of this crisis could cause a result that might open the door for change in Cyprus […]”.
Olgun alleged that the existence of Turkey in the area with Barbaros vessel for carrying out explorations on behalf of the “TRNC” [Translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] is a chance for bringing the Greek Cypriot side back to the negotiating table and claimed that the Turkish NAXTEX and the existence of Barbaros “is the only way for changing the status quo which the Greek Cypriot side preserves for years”.
He alleged: “The NAVTEX and Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa are the only dynamics in the direction of changing the status quo, de facto adding power and showing the need for its change. Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa and the area for which the NAVTEX was announced are confirming this”.
When the journalist told him that the Greek Cypriot side does not perceive the existence of Barbaros and the NAVTEX in the manner which the Turkish side wants it to perceive it, Olgun claimed that the reason for this is that the Greek Cypriots still think that they could preserve what they have, but “this is becoming more difficult now”.
Asked what kind of change he is referring to with the NAVTEX and the existence of Barbaros, Olgun said that Barbaros is in the occupied Famagusta Port at the moment. He alleged: “We are giving another chance. Barbaroscannot remain there forever. This is a window of opportunity for a short period of time. It should be used well. This opportunity is not only for the south, but it is an opportunity for the UN and [the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth] Eide as well […] With our move, the Greek Cypriot side is de facto seeing that it is not the only sovereign in an area which is under its sovereignty”.
(I/Ts.)