Turkish Cypriots – Republic of Cyprus can not carry Gas and oil explorations on their own

Kucuk alleges that the Republic of Cyprus could not carry out alone oil and natural gas explorations in the Mediterranean SeaTurkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (10.08.11) publishes statements made by self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, Irsen Kucuk to Turkish Star newspaper and Kanal 24 television.

Replying to a question regarding the Republic of Cyprus’s explorations for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea, Kucuk said:

“Turkey’s reaction is very clear against these manoeuvres which the Greek Cypriots claim that they will start in the end of September. In any case, our reaction against such unilateral fait accomplis is always there. What we see here is actually a climate of panic in the Greek Cypriot side. Their motherland, which they trusted very much, has gone bankrupt economically. It has collapsed. We see that the same situation is step by step happening in south Cyprus. The Government is in economic crisis and it was forced to resign. The Greek Cypriot people are in the streets. We are actually watching the sad end of a community that has been used to living without producing. In contrary to this, the guarantor of the Turks of Cyprus, motherland Turkey exhibits a great growth in every field and mainly in the economy. Turkey has become one of the few countries which guide the world. The Greek Cypriots are trying to cover up the pressure they started experiencing in every field by turning the attention of their public opinion to other directions. I see this as a manoeuvre to divert the public opinion. The Greek Cypriots do not have enough power to do this job alone. And some big powers, the backing of which they think they will acquire, could not come face to face with Turkey at this stage. Who will say anything to Turkey?”

Yorgancioglu remembered the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus; Reference to the explorations for oil and natural gas

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (10.08.11) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has argued that the oil and natural gas resources in the Mediterranean Sea should become a catalyst in the solution of the Cyprus problem.

In a written statement issued yesterday by CTP’s press office, it is noted that Yorgancioglu commented on matters which are on the agenda speaking on a television program yesterday.

Responding to a question on the explorations for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea by the Republic of Cyprus, Yorgancioglu said that the Republic of Cyprus is an internationally recognized state and therefore its actions are legal according to the international law. However, he described as “behavior contrary to the 1960 agreements” the fact that these explorations are held without the permission and the approval of the Turkish Cypriots, who are equal partners of the Republic of Cyprus and without any profit for them. He argued that the Turkish Cypriots have rights in the Republic of Cyprus and therefore any initiatives before the solution of the Cyprus problem “include approaches that will create tension between the two sides”. “The solution of the Cyprus problem is important from this point of view as well and perhaps the solution of the problem should be speeded up for this reason”, he added.

Referring to the reactions of Turkey on this matter, Yorgancioglu expressed the view that Turkey will not be able to do many things on this issue. He recalled that the company which will carry out the explorations for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea is an American company and argued that since the USA protects its company, Turkey will not go too far.

Responding to a question regarding Turkey’s statement that it will freeze its relations with the European Union (EU) in case the Republic of Cyprus takes over the EU term presidency before the solution of the Cyprus problem, Yorgancioglu expressed the view that it is not right for such a small country such as Cyprus to have so much influence in the EU. He recalled Turkey’s political and economic relations with the EU and pointed out that no one refers to the price that Turkey will be forced to pay when it freezes its relations with the Union. “Why Turkey should enter into such a great economic difficulty? Instead of doing this, if it is focused on the solution of the Cyprus problem and the problem is solved, this difficulty will not be experienced”, he added.