TRNC News Today 17th November 2014

• If the Greek side is devoted and sincere to reach a federal partnership
• Unpleasant facts about natural gas
• Koenig’s proposal on hydrocarbons rejected by the Greek Cypriots

“If the Greek side is devoted and sincere to reach a federal partnership, it should act  to make it possible’’

President Derviş Eroğlu emphasized  that Turkish Cypriot side is at the negotiation  table, however the  time for Greek Cypriot  side to decide what they want has already passed and  added that  “if they are devoted and sincere  to reach  a federal partnership, they should act in that direction to  make it possible”

At the speech he gave on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the declaration of  the TRNC, President Eroğlu stated that one of the happiest days of Turkish Cypriots is 15th of November 1983.

Eroğlu said that “it is our expectation mainly from  the United Nations, United States,  European Union and the international community, to show  respect to both sides’ rights and to urge  the Greek  Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades to return to the negotiation  table unconditionally where everything can be talked and solved.

Unpleasant facts about natural gas

It is reported that it has become clear in recent months that the Greek Cypriot  side’s making use of hydrocarbons depends on  its developing good  geopolitical and economic relations with the energy  countries in the region and on the solution of the Cyprus problem together with reaching a difficult consensus with Turkey .

Weekly Katimerini newspaper reported that  sources from  diplomatic and energy  areas  said that Cyprus is still spending too much time on how to export the natural gas and does not consider how to meet its own needs.

Same sources pointed out  that  the Greek Cypriot  Government’s first concern should be meeting its own  energy needs,  developing  regional cooperation and  reaching a consensus with  Turkey at the same time.

In the article it has also been pointed out that the greatest  fear of the Greek  Cypriot administration and the  involved companies is Turkey bringing a drilling platform to the region.

Koenig’s proposal on hydrocarbons rejected by the Greek Cypriot Political parties

Greek Cypriot political parties rejected US Ambassador John Koenig’s proposal  to discuss hydrocarbons  in some kind of a  forum. The Greek Cypriot political parties rejected the idea  by saying, “that only  meant  accepting  Turkish demands.”

Greek Cypriot political parties also  rejected the idea that hydrocarbons should be  discussed parallel to  inter communal negotiations and co-joint management of natural gas before the  solution.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office