Turkey’s provocative actions in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus constitute a violation of international law. Turkey’s actions are totally unacceptable and condemnable, and there is no excuse whatsoever for them. Regrettably, the tension created by Turkey’s concrete actions raise serious obstacles to the resumption of negotiations. Statements, such as the one made by M. Akinci, attempting to justify Turkey’s unacceptable behaviour, are both wrong and counterproductive.

We agree that our country’s natural resources, such as natural gas, must be allocated proportionately and fairly to both communities. We would like to recall that as regards the allocation of federal revenues, that will also include the revenues from the natural gas, an agreed convergence exists. With the solution of the Cyprus problem, the agreed settlement will be applied.

Where we all must focus our efforts on is the stopping of Turkey’s provocative actions and violations, as well as the creation of the correct conditions for the resumption of negotiations from the point where they had remained at Crans Montana. This is the only way we can arrive at a correct and comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem which will put a definitive end to Turkey’s provocative actions and regulate the distribution of the natural gas revenues on the basis of the agreed framework.

Statement by Christos Christofides, AKEL Political Bureau member