President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz has assured that he is going to discuss with the Turkish officials during his visit to Turkey at the end of the month, the Turkish threats over Cyprus’ right to explore and exploit hydrocarbon reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Schulz who was on one-day working visit to Cyprus Saturday, had talks with the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias at his holiday home in the southern Limassol district.
Speaking to the press after the talks which lasted about two hours, Schulz said that he had the chance to discuss Turkey’s European course in view of his visit to Ankara and Constantinople (Istanbul) on the 29th and 30th of May.
Invited to comment on the Turkish threats against the Republic of Cyprus as well as against the international companies who have shown interest for the second licensing round, President of the European Parliament noted that he will have the chance to discuss the issue with the Turkish leadership, and he will then draw his conclusions. He stressed that “threats are the opposite of what we need, we need mutual respect and comprehension and therefore threats are never meaningful”.
“Before commenting I want to speak to all the relevant participants. I heard about the threats, I was informed all day, when I go to Ankara and Istanbul on the 29th I will discuss this with my Turkish friends and I will come to my conclusions”, he said.
In his statements, Schulz referred to the economic crisis in the Eurozone, noting that the situation is difficult and improvements need to be made. He went on to say that in Cyprus, social cohesion and social justice remain the highest priorities, adding that these are also the main priorities of the Cyprus’ EU Presidency.
He added that maritime policy of the EU is also an important sector which is often underestimated, adding that “most goods in the world are transported via sea, so maritime policy can play a major role in the economic development of Europe and we discussed just about the role the island can play during its Presidency”.
Schulz said that with President Christofias he had the chance to discuss also the relations of EU with the member states and the candidate states, especially Turkey as well as the role that Turkey must play in the next years.
“I am preparing my next visit to Turkey and President Christofias and I shared all of the views”, he added.
He described his meeting with the President as wonderful, adding that he shares a friendship with him which has been developed over the last five years.
“I am proud to be allowed to call myself a friend of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, a man I admire a lot”, he stressed.
Invited to comment on his meeting with the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias and the leaders of the Greek political parties on Friday, Schulz said he had the chance to discuss very serious problems, noting that “I left the country very worried”.
Replying to a question about the information in the press that Chancellor Merkel has suggested that a referendum should take place for possible exit of Greece from the Eurozone, Shulz denied that he discussed the issue of the referendum with the Greek President.
He went on to say that Merkel had a phone conversation with Papoulias on Friday, however he was not present during the conversation so he doesn`t know what the two discussed.
“During my meeting I was interrupted by a phone call -Merkel called Papoulias- and left the room. The content of the phone call between Chancellor Merkel and President Papoulias is unknown to me”, he noted.
President of the Republic Demetris Christofias in his statements to the press, expressed his satisfaction over the meeting with Schulz, adding that they had the chance to asses the preparations for the Cyprus’ EU Presidency to begin July 1st, the cooperation between the Republic and the European Parliament and the coordination of their actions.
“I am pleased to say that President Schulz has the same philosophy with us as regards the way we should deal with the huge challenges ahead of us which are going to determine the way forward as well”, President noted.
He also expressed his gratitude on the support we gain by President Schulz on the Cyprus issue, underlining that “his positions are clear as regards the sovereignty of the Cyprus Republic, we work together and I am sure that we will have a close and effective cooperation ”.