Cavusoglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots are not determined for a Cyprus settlement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (05.02.15) reports that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots are not determined for a Cyprus settlement. He also said that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades should stop hiding behind the Annan plan and should return to the negotiating table.
During a televised interview at Ulke TV in Ankara, Cavusoglu said that Turkey is ready to give any kind of support in order to cooperate with the newly elected Greek government, adding that “a politically and economically strong Greece is good for resolving the Cyprus issue”.
Cavusoglu said that he sent a letter to Greek Foreign Minister and he is going to have a telephone conversation with him in the coming days.
Cavusoglu, however, warned about one of Syriza’s coalition partner parties, Anel, saying the populist right-wing Independent Greeks party is “anti-Turkey”. “It may be populism but we take our measures. We don’t want any more tension”, he added.
Referring to the natural gas exploration activities in the East Mediterranean, Cavusoglu said that steps that exclude Turkey from the region are not possible to be implemented. He added: “We will not permit this. The sale of natural gas and oil that will be extracted from there, it will be through Turkey. Our proposals are fair proposals”.