- Özersay: “We should be able to start cooperating without waiting for a solution” ….
- Cavusoglu: ‘Turkey to start drilling off the coast of Cyprus with the new platform’ ….
- Spehar to meet with leaders on 11th January ….
- Dr. Fazıl Küçük and Rauf Raif Denktaş will be commemorated ….
Özersay: “We should be able to start cooperating without waiting for a solution”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay made a speech at the Atlantic Council, which is one of the leading institutions on security and natural richness, within the framework of his contacts in the US capital, Washington. Özersay evaluated the issues of the future of the Cyprus problem and natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Stating that it is not the right approach to link every problem to the deadlock which has been continuing for half a century and currently postponed, Özersay said “We should be able to start cooperating without waiting for a solution on the issues of natural gas, extradition of criminals, the fight against black money, terrorism and similar issues in the Eastern Mediterranean”.
Özersay indicated that to start cooperating without waiting for a solution would create an environment of confidence between the two sides in real terms.
Özersay also pointed out the importance of cooperation without waiting for a solution between the parties in Cyprus in terms of regional peace and stability. Stating that there are two important factors for cooperation between the parties, Özersay said: “The first one is that all parties need this cooperation. This is not available in all issues today. However, there are some issues where the need for cooperation cannot be denied. For example, the fight against terrorism or extradition of criminals.
Özersay identified the second important factor for cooperation as the two parties need to show flexibility and behave pragmatically. Özersay stated that the two parties cooperated previously in the electric issue in 2011. In his speech at the Atlantic Council, Özersay underlined that the aim of the Greek Cypriot side not to cooperate in the natural gas issue is because of the approach of the international community.
Today (10th January), Özersay will continue his contacts in Washington.
Cavusoglu: ‘Turkey to start drilling off the coast of Cyprus with the new platform’
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu gave a briefing to the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee about the ‘Recent Developments on the Turkish Foreign Policy’ and touched upon the developments in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean regions and expressed that Turkey will start drilling off the coast of Cyprus.
Çavuşoğlu said ‘Our ship Fatih-1 started drilling in Alanya-1 plot. Our second ship will soon arrive and it will sail around Cyprus to start drilling’. Çavuşoğlu also underlined that they want to ensure the rights of Turkish Cypriots regarding the hydrocarbon.
Additionally speaking on Turkey’s EU membership process, Çavuşoğlu said that both sides are spending efforts to create a more positive atmosphere in respect of relations with the European Union.
Spehar to meet with leaders on 11th January
The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative and the Head of Mission in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar will meet with President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades tomorrow (11th January) before leaving the island for New York, where she will inform the UN Security Council.
Spehar will be received by President Mustafa Akıncı at 15.00 pm, and will meet with the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades in the morning at 11.00 am.
Spehar will brief the UN Security Council at a meeting in New York on January 22nd. The Security Council will come together on January 30th to discuss whether to extend the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for another 6 months.
Elizabeth Spehar will meet with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Rosemary Di Carlo and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
She will also meet with representatives of countries that have contributed to UNFICYP and the delegations of permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The UN official will also travel to Washington, where she will discuss the Cyprus issue and mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus with the US officials.
The UN Peacekeeping Force, which has been in Cyprus since 1964, is considered one of the longest running UN missions. The mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus is extended every 6 months.
Dr. Fazıl Küçük and Rauf Raif Denktaş will be commemorated
Existence and Freedom Struggle Leader of the Turkish Cypriot people Dr. Fazıl Küçük will be commemorated on the 35th anniversary of his death and Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş will be commemorated on the 7th anniversary of his death.
A ceremony will be organised on Sunday 13th January at Anıt Tepe and Atatürk Culture Center for Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş.
Existence and Freedom Struggle Leader of the Turkish Cypriot people Dr. Fazıl Küçük will also be commemorated with a ceremony at Dr. Fazıl Küçük Monument on Tuesday 15th January.
