Provocative statements by Turkish officials regarding the assumption of the EU Presidency during the second half of 2012 by Cyprus are insulting and constitute an unacceptable intervention in EU domestic affairs, Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis said.
She noted that the Republic of Cyprus is examining the political and legal actions it will take in case Turkey escalates its illegal actions as regards Cyprus sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone. She also stressed that during the forthcoming visit of her Lebanese counterpart in Cyprus they will look into the issues raised by Lebanon as regards the delineation agreement of Cyprus-Lebanon EEZ and the future cooperation between the two countries, as well as issues of joint exploitation of resources.
In statements after presenting before the House Finance Committee the Foreign Ministry 2012 budget, which provides of expenses of 87.16 million Euro, Marcoullis said that there is an increase of 3.68% in expenditure is due to the forthcoming Cyprus EU Presidency.
Marcoullis said that she informed the Committee about the goals of the ministry and its efforts, which concern mainly “the promotion of our positions as regards the Cyprus problem, which is currently in a crucial phase.”
With regard to Cyprus sovereign rights in its EEZ and the threats and illegal actions by Ankara against Cyprus’ sovereign rights, Marcoullis informed the Committee on the establishment of a new Division at the ministry responsible for the political handling of energy issues and maritime affairs.
She said that this Division handles the issues regarding Cyprus’ EEZ and other relevant issues, as Agreements on Research and Rescue, Agreements regarding EEZ delineation and Agreements of Joint Exploitation with neighbouring countries.
Marcoullis also informed the Committee about the Cypriot EU Presidency priorities.
Invited to comment on press reports about a foreign company that has undertaken to conduct explorations in the Mediterranean on behalf of Turkey, Marcoullis said that these reports will be examined and “we will try to take more information on this issue.”
She noted however that it seems that these agreements, which have not yet been signed seem to concern Turkey’s shelf, at the south of Turkey.
“We have to see which areas these explorations will concern. There is nothing concrete so far. We are examining the political and legal steps that we will take in case Turkey escalates its illegal actions as regards our sovereign rights in our EEZ,» Marcoullis said.
Asked about the dialogue under way with neighbouring countries, Marcoullis said that it goes on very well and referred to her last visit to Egypt, during which she and her interlocutors reaffirmed the agreement about the delineation of the EEZ between the two countries, adding that they now proceed with their talks concerning the Agreement on Joint Exploitation, which was signed in 2006 but has not yet been ratified.
She also said that they will also conclude other agreements on Research and Rescue as well as on Maritime Affairs.
Invited to comment on statements by Egemen Bagis, Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator with the EU, as regards the forthcoming Cypriot EU Presidency, Marcoullis said that such statements by Bagis and other Turkish officials are insulting for the EU and constitute an unacceptable intervention in its domestic affairs.
“The European Commission has responded to all these and the Council will respond as well in its conclusions this December,” she said, adding that EU member states have been denouncing Turkey’s behavior which is completely unacceptable for a candidate country.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey, which does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, objects to the exploratory drilling in the Cypriot EEZ. So far Cyprus has concluded to bilateral agreements for the delineation of its EEZ with Egypt, Lebanon and Israel.