Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has not ruled out the possibility of resorting to the UN Security Council if Turkey tries to use its drill ship for drilling purposes in the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Should this happen, the President told Greek National Television ERT, the government will exhaust all diplomatic and political means at its disposal.
In an interview with ERT, President Anastasiades pointed out that the solution but not any solution to the long standing Cyprus problem, is the answer to problems.
Regarding the UN-led peace talks, President Anastasiades said they had not resumed because of claims put forward by the Turkish side. He also said that the Turkish Cypriot leadership is under the complete control of Turkey, adding that the deadlock in last July’s negotiations is due to Ankara’s unacceptable positions. Furthermore, he noted, there were also some “unfortunate and rushed decisions” on the part of the UN.
Now, the President said, there is absence of trust between him and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mustafa Akinci, pointing out that political equality between the island’s two communities cannot be transformed into numerical equality.
Replying to questions about a possible meeting with Akinci, he said he is ready to meet him, without an agenda. “I have not had any reply from Mr Akinci so far,” he noted.
Regarding the energy program of the Republic of Cyprus, he said that it continues as planned.
Turkey’s behaviour in the Eastern Mediterranean indicates that Ankara wishes to become “an energy hub, and be the only source of supplying energy to the West.”
“Energy planning and methods of transporting natural gas cannot be the result of one country’s choices but the outcome of collective decisions,” the President stressed.
Anastasiades ruled out any joint exploitation or joint management of Cyprus’ natural resources with the Turkish Cypriots prior to a political settlement. The government has repeatedly said that the benefits from the exploitation of the Republic`s natural resources belong to both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots.
“The answer to problems is the solution of the Cyprus issue, but not any solution,” he told ERT.
Questioned on the country’s economy, he said in 2013 Cyprus was on the brink of default whereas today problems have been overcome and the rate of development if 4% of the GDP.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Ankara does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus in spite of repeated calls from the international community to normalize its relations with Nicosia. Repeated UN-led rounds of peace talks have yet to yield results to reunite the country.
In the recent past, Turkish vessels have prevented drill ship, commissioned by the Italian oil giant ENI, to approach a target for exploratory drilling. Nicosia has protested Turkey’s moves in the Eastern Mediterranean.