Çavuşoğlu: “We will not allow unilateral activities by Greek Cypriot side”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated yesterday that the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people are entitled to the reserves around the island of Cyprus, and that this right must be guaranteed. Therefore, Turkey will not allow unilateral exploration activities by the Greek Cypriot side.

The Turkish Foreign Minister was speaking during a joint press conference with TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay, following their bilateral meeting in Ankara.  During their meeting, they discussed ways to further strengthen the ties between the TRNC and Turkey, the profile of the TRNC and ongoing efforts to be more visible abroad, as well as initiatives to increase the number of TRNC representative offices around the world. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu and Minister Özersay also evaluated options regarding the Greek Cypriot Administration’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities, and next steps and possible parameters relating to the Cyprus process.

Noting that the stance of the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece were important in the negotiation process and that Turkey will continue to engage especially with Greece on this issue, Çavuşoğlu continued, “We have always supported a permanent, sustainable and fair solution. In particular, political equality is an essential principle in any settlement.  The protection of the rights of the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people as it has always been, is a benchmark for us. Both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people will continue this stance in any future process.”

The unfair isolation of the TRNC has been ongoing to this current day, Çavuşoğlu pointed out. He added, “Those who do not want a solution have been rewarded. However, the Turkish Cypriot people, who want a solution and who have voted for a solution, have been punished.  I would like to emphasize once again that we will not allow this anymore.”

Emphasizing that the Greek Cypriot side must stop their unilateral hydrocarbon exploration and drilling activities, Çavuşoğlu said, “The TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people are entitled to the reserves around the island and that this right must be guaranteed. We have conveyed our messages unequivocally to the UN, EU and all relevant institutions and countries interested in the Cyprus issue. We strongly emphasize once again that we cannot allow such unilateral works by the Greek Cypriot side.”