TRNC News 24th October 2018

1. Özersay: “If negotiations continue in the same way, the vicious circle will continue” …
2. Nami: “Much deeper and comprehensive relations on energy will be created with Turkey” …
3. Çavuşoğlu: “No one can consider one more failure”

Özersay: “If negotiations continue in the same way, the vicious circle will continue”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay said “We have concerns that if we continue the negotiations in the same way, the vicious circle will continue. We express that at each platform”.

Özersay made statements about foreign policy at the General Council of the Republican Assembly. Özersay said that as well as the dialogue process which is trying to be shaped by the United Nations, an unofficial dialogue process is also continuing.

Adding that new views have been expressed in the UN report, Özersay said that he shared his views about a loose federation and stressed that the stage reached in the 50 year long Cyprus negotiations is not pleasant.

Stating that they do not have any intention to create a conflict in the region, Özersay said “We are working to cool the waters not to heat them”. Stressing that there is consensus among the government partners on the issue of the Cyprus problem and negotiation process, Özersay pointed out that a result oriented negotiation process is the common ground for the sides.

Nami: “Much deeper and comprehensive relations on energy will be created with Turkey”

Minister for Economy and Energy Özdil Nami said that it is possible to say much deeper and comprehensive relations between the TRNC and Turkey on energy will be created in the coming period.  Stating that there is a very significant potential in the TRNC for renewable energy, Nami said: “In this respect, negotiations continue with several companies in Turkey.”

Making an evaluation regarding the harassment of the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa seismic research vessel which belongs to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) Nami said that the vessel would continue to carry out its research efforts in the area.

He said that the necessary steps had been taken to prevent further tensions arising in the region.

Underlining that Turkey acts within the powers given to her under international law, Nami said that the Greek vessels have to give up their harassment without causing any adverse event.

Reminding that the cooperation on energy will continue between the TRNC and Turkey, Nami said: “There are some agreements signed with Turkey. We cooperate with Turkey for research in areas where Turkish Cypriots have rights. Just as the Greek Cypriot side takes some agreements for granted with the USA, Italian and French companies, we can also see the right to self-agreements with companies in Turkey and it is natural for us to protect our rights and interests in the region.

Çavuşoğlu: “No one can consider one more failure”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that one more failure of the Cyprus talks cannot be considered.

Çavuşoğlu expressed his belief that the Greek Cypriot side has to accept that Turkish Cypriot people also have rights to the reserves around the island, yet they want to talk about this issue after drilling.

Stating that there is a trick here, as they have seen in the past that we did not allow this, Çavuşoğlu reiterated that Turkey has a proposal to find a solution through the European Union.

Çavuşoğlu also stressed that Turkey carries out drilling and exploration activities both in their exclusive economic zone and in the areas determined by the TRNC.

“After all, if the reserves are available in this island, both sides have the right and it must be shared. That is our concern”.  Çavuşoğlu also said that everyone realised that the Greek Cypriot side was not ready for a federal solution in the Crans-Montana talks.