Greek Cypriots urged to reopen talks on Cyprus issue
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has again invited the Greek Cypriot administration to reopen negotiations over the Cyprus issue.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Foreign Minister Özdil Nami stated that the Greek Cypriot administration head, Nikos Anastasiadis, would revisit the path of negotiations after the upcoming presidential elections on April 19. "The Greek Cypriot administration saw the international community's reaction when they left the negotiation table. We expect the Greek leader to return to the table after reevaluating developments on the ground," Nami said.
About the issue of exploration of hydrocarbons around the disputed area of the island, he said: "We will not allow the issue of hydrocarbons to be used as a trump card against the Turkish people. I think the Greek leader has understood this point clearly."
Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus government have strongly opposed any "unilateral" move of the Greek Cypriot administration to explore hydrocarbon resources around the island, saying its natural resources should be exploited in a fair manner under a united Cyprus.
The Turkish Cypriot government has already repeated its firm stance on many occasions that the resources of the island of Cyprus belong to both communities and that the Turkish Cypriots will not give up their rights to those resources.
Nami also stressed that the Greek Cypriot leader did not abide by an agreement reached between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in a joint declaration on Feb. 11, 2014. "The main reason for the halt in progress of the talks is that the Greek Cypriot leader has not respected the obtained rapprochement, so far," he said.
Negotiations between Turkish and Greek-Cypriots had resumed after a two-year pause in February 2013 with a joint declaration outlining the details of a reunited island after the previous round of talks collapsed, partly because of the Eurozone debt crisis. However, the Greek Cypriot administration suspended the most recent talks on Oct. 7 after Turkey sent a ship to explore oil and gas off the island's coast.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Foreign Minister Özdil Nami stated that the Greek Cypriot administration head, Nikos Anastasiadis, would revisit the path of negotiations after the upcoming presidential elections on April 19. "The Greek Cypriot administration saw the international community's reaction when they left the negotiation table. We expect the Greek leader to return to the table after reevaluating developments on the ground," Nami said.
About the issue of exploration of hydrocarbons around the disputed area of the island, he said: "We will not allow the issue of hydrocarbons to be used as a trump card against the Turkish people. I think the Greek leader has understood this point clearly."
Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus government have strongly opposed any "unilateral" move of the Greek Cypriot administration to explore hydrocarbon resources around the island, saying its natural resources should be exploited in a fair manner under a united Cyprus.
The Turkish Cypriot government has already repeated its firm stance on many occasions that the resources of the island of Cyprus belong to both communities and that the Turkish Cypriots will not give up their rights to those resources.
Nami also stressed that the Greek Cypriot leader did not abide by an agreement reached between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in a joint declaration on Feb. 11, 2014. "The main reason for the halt in progress of the talks is that the Greek Cypriot leader has not respected the obtained rapprochement, so far," he said.
Negotiations between Turkish and Greek-Cypriots had resumed after a two-year pause in February 2013 with a joint declaration outlining the details of a reunited island after the previous round of talks collapsed, partly because of the Eurozone debt crisis. However, the Greek Cypriot administration suspended the most recent talks on Oct. 7 after Turkey sent a ship to explore oil and gas off the island's coast.
Last Update: April 04, 2015 01:01