The government has stressed that Turkey’s intransigence and provocative moves, which cause disappointment, will not distract it from the main goal of a solution to the Cyprus problem.
In a written statement issued Thursday on the occasion of the illegal unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) by the Turkish Cypriots in Turkish occupied Cyprus, in November 1983, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the Turkish stance should not lead to solutions which in the end would facilitate Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to annul the agreed basis and the basic principles of the solution.
Turkey, whose troops invaded and occupied Cyprus’ northern areas in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Its policies and tactics aim at promoting a two-state solution.
Stephanou reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side consistently continues efforts to reunite the island, based on principles and the Republic’s sovereign rights.
Recalling that the UN Security Council has condemned the illegal UDI in the occupied areas, the Spokesman noted that in resolutions that followed, the SC has clearly stated that the solution in Cyprus provides for one Cypriot state with one sovereignty, a single nationality and international personality in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
Referring to the direct talks between the two communities in Cyprus, which resumed in 2008, the Spokesman said that they have reached a deadlock. He explained that the Turkish Cypriot community has left the negotiating table and has refused to proceed with the talks. Stephanou referred to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot stance towards the Cyprus EU Presidency and Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore and exploit its hydrocarbon reserves in its exclusive economic zone.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The two communities have been engaged in UN-backed talks with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.
In November 1983, Turkey instigated and endorsed a “unilateral declaration of independence” in the occupied area by the Turkish Cypriot leadership. The self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime has not been recognized by anyone other than Turkey, which exercises effective control over it. UN Security Council resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984) categorically condemned this unilateral action, declared it legally invalid, called for its withdrawal, and called on all UN member-states not to recognize this illegal entity. The EU and other international and regional organizations have adopted similar positions.
Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the EEZ with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves, while a similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon.
The initial data that emerged from the exploratory drilling conducted by Houston-based “Noble Energy” in EEZ block 12 indicate the existence of a natural gas reservoir ranging from 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) with a gross mean of 7 tcf.
The government recently decided to proceed with negotiations for four offshore blocks in Cyprus’ EEZ, in the framework of a second licensing round. Negotiations with the companies are expected to conclude within 2013.