TRNC News Today 29^th November 2013

“IT IS NATURAL FOR THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE TO CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES WITHIN ITS DESIGNATED LICENSED AREAS”

The TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the following statement regarding natural resources on the island.

“The TRNC Council of Ministers licensed the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) on 22nd September 2011 to carry out hydrocarbon exploration and extraction activities in designated areas on the basis of the existing rights of the Turkish Cypriot people over the maritime jurisdiction areas of the Island. Within this framework, the initial seismic exploration activities took place at the end of 2011.

The ship which belongs to TPAO, namely the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa, arrived on site to conduct more detailed exploration in the licensed areas within the scope of the contract signed with the TRNC Government on 2nd November 2011.

The Turkish Cypriots, who are the co-owners of the Island of Cyprus, have equal and inalienable rights over the exploration, extraction and processing of natural resources found within the maritime jurisdiction areas of the Island, just as they have rights over other issues as well. Given this reality, it is natural for the Turkish Cypriot side to carry out activities within its designated licensed areas. The reactions against these activities put forth by the Greek Cypriot Administration of South Cyprus, which are based on the denial of the existence of the TRNC, are therefore baseless and unwarranted. When it is recalled that by carrying out unilateral activities, it is the Greek Cypriot side which is threatening the stability of the region, it becomes apparent once again that the said reactions are groundless.

The Turkish Cypriot side preserved its belief and is continuing to believe that share of the natural resources of the Island can be settled through mutual dialogue and good will. The proposals submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side to the Secretary General of the United Nations on 24th September 2011 and 29th September 2012 which called for an equitable share of natural resources of the Island, are still valid. The Greek Cypriot side which did not respond positively to these proposals is continuing its hydrocarbon exploration activities in the region by disregarding the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

It has also been alleged in the Greek Cypriot press that it is no coincidence that this initiative of the Turkish Cypriot side took place at the same time as the meeting of the Turkish Cypriot President Mr. Derviş Eroğlu and the Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Nicos Anastasiades. This allegation lacks credibility. It is a well known fact by all concerned that such exploration activities are the result of long term planning. Moreover, the Greek Cypriot side’s unwilling stance in face of all the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side towards resumption of the negotiation process in a result orientated manner in the shortest possible time is known by the United Nations and by the international community.

In order to ensure peace and stability on the Island and in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Greek Cypriot side should abandon its policies which raise tensions in the region and direct its efforts towards the recommencement of result-orientated negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. Furthermore, the best line of action would be to make constructive contributions towards the search for a mutual platform, to be determined through reciprocal agreement, to conduct the hydrocarbon exploration activities until a comprehensive settlement is reached.”

EROĞLU: “NEITHER THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE NOR THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS THE PATIENCE TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER 50 YEARS FOR A SETTLEMENT”

Underlining that negotiations have been continuing since 1964 for reaching a settlement, President Derviş Eroğlu stated that neither the Turkish Cypriot people nor the rest of the world has the patience to wait for another 50 years for a settlement.

President Eroğlu stressed at a meeting yesterday that even if it is not being recognized by any other country except Turkey, the TRNC is a fully functioning State having all the necessary structure and institutions and stated that they have been struggling for years to reach a viable settlement in Cyprus.

Underlining that the Greek Cypriot administration rejected most of the settlement texts that were put forward up to today Eroğlu said that for the first time they put a joint statement as a precondition even for the start of the negotiations.

Referring to the expression in the UN resolutions that “negotiations resume without preconditions” Eroğlu said: “You can reach a settlement if you are willing, otherwise you keep struggling for months.”

FOREIGN MINISTER NAMI BRIEFED ABOUT HIS CONTACTS IN IRAN

Speaking during the General Assembly yesterday, Foreign Minister Özdil Nami said that they were conducting intensive works regarding the continuation of the foreign contacts at an increasing rate and some of these works were a continuation of the established relations in the previous government period.

Expressing that he attended the Economic Cooperation Organization meeting for the first time as the Foreign Minister of the Cyprus Turkish State, Nami thanked the Iran Government for its warm and close interest.

Explaining that there were Iranian students at TRNC universities and also import-export relations exist between the two countries, Nami said that he had an opportunity to meet with the President of Iran and senior officials during his contacts in Iran.

Pointing out that such contacts were possible as the Turkish Cypriots had voted ‘yes’ for the Annan Plan, Nami stressed that his efforts towards lifting the embargoes and increasing the welfare level of the people would continue.

Noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed the negotiations closely, made constructive contributions and had close relations with the Presidency, Özdil Nami said. “The negotiation ground is obvious. Our President has expressed his commitment to this ground to the UN and he has provided the ground for our support. The main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) also expressed its commitment. I hope this unity continues and creates the expected impact on the opposite side. It is true that the Greek Cypriot side is playing for time, but we shall continue to make constructive contributions.”

Nami added that even the expected result was not obtained during the meeting; they were still hopeful regarding launching of the negotiations.

DENKTAŞ: “AN IMPROVED ANNAN PLAN WILL NOT BE FOR OUR BENEFIT”

Deputy Prime Minister, Economy, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Serdar Denktaş, has said: “The Greek Cypriot side has never been in favour of an equal agreement. Nowadays, the preparation of an improved Annan Plan is being talked about. Of course this improvement will not be for our benefit. If we give up our identity, rights, equality and sovereignty for the sake of globalization, a solution can be reached tomorrow morning. However, we have to protect our rights.”

TURKISH AND GREEK CYPRIOT POLITICAL PARTY REPRESENTATIVES VISITED ARMENIAN CHURCH AND ST. PANTELEIMON MONASTERY

It has been reported that representatives of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot political parties, authorities of the Slovak Embassy, UNDP-PFF (United Nations Development Program-Partnership for the Future), and a delegation including representatives of an Armenian Committee living in Cyprus visited the Sourp Magar Armenian Monastery at Besparmak Mountains and the Orthodox St. Panteleimon Monastery in Camlıbel.