As Turkey proceeds to a new illegal drilling in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus, the EU and the international community are either keeping silent or confine themselves to issuing declarations. The measures approved by the EU against Turkey still remain mere words. Nothing has been implemented. Each time the EU’s promises are repeated and the Minister of Foreign Affairs continues his statements that they’ll be reactions, which we however don’t see.

AKEL has repeatedly warned that within the framework of the protracted stalemate on the Cyprus problem, in combination with Turkey having been exonerated in the Reports submitted by the UN Secretary-General, Turkey means its threats and will proceed to drillings in the Cypriot EEZ. The government assured everyone that the Cypriot EEZ is shielded and that the EU will impose measures that will hurt Turkey.

Developments have dispelled the illusions that the government had cultivated. At the same time, developments themselves have shown that with the Cyprus problem unresolved, we will constantly find Turkey provoking and threatening, something that AKEL has also warned about and our assessments have unfortunately been vindicated.

It is now clear to all that the only existing way to effectively address the problems Turkey is creating is through the solution of the Cyprus problem. Confronted with Turkey’s provocative actions, and in defending the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, we must not get caught up by Turkey’s provocative behaviour. We must remain focused on the efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

With the tension Turkey is provoking, the problems are intensifying and aren’t solved. With the solution of the Cyprus problem, we will open the prospect of cooperation and permanent peace in our country and in the Eastern Mediterranean region.