Cyprus solution is to the benefit of Turkey and to the benefit of all Cypriots, President Nicos Anastasiades has said, pointing out that everyone in the international community should realize that Cyprus cannot become a new Libya, Iraq or Syria.
 
Delivering a speech Thursday evening during an event of ruling DISY to mark the 44th anniversary of the founding of the party, the President reiterated his will to fight for a solution to the Cyprus problem, stressing once again, however, that he cannot accept a solution which, instead of leading to a modern functioning state, may collapse and lead to more problems than they ones we already have.

Referring to Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” theory that aims to annex Greece’s Eastern Aegean islands and maritime space, Anastasiades said that our homeland is also blue, as it is surrounded by the blue sea and has an exclusive economic zone as a sovereign country. Anastasiades said that Turkey’s provocations in the region translate to a second invasion adding that we all witness what is happening in Syria, Libya and Greece.
 
The President referred  to the latest round of UN-backed negotiations and said that for the first time we managed to get Turkey to negotiate and we got EU to be present on the negotiating table. He said however that we did not manage to reach a solution because Turkey insisted on positions that were not to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriots or the Greek Cypriots but were beneficial for her own interests.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkish drill ship “Yavuz” arrived last April in the exclusive economic zone (ΕΕΖ) of Cyprus, after Ankara announced another attempt to drill a well in blocks licensed to European companies. This is the 6th time Turkey attempts to drill within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus, this time in an area that covers part of exploration blocks 6 and 7, which have been licensed to ENI and TOTAL.

In a statement on May 15, EU Foreign Ministers deplored the fact that Turkey has not yet responded to EU calls to cease such activities and reiterated their call on Ankara to show restraint, refrain from such actions, and respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Cyprus, in accordance with international law. EU Foreign Ministers also reaffirmed previous Council and European Council conclusions, notably those of June 2019 and October 2019 on Turkey’s continued illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.