Cyprus will commence drilling in October

Cyprus will commence exploratory drilling in its exclusive economic zone in the beginning of October, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Praxoulla Antoniadou said on Sunday.

“The Ministry proceeds with its current planning for the commencement of exploratory drilling by the beginning of October,“ Antoniadou told the press following a memorial service of Cypriot-origin Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Giannos Kranidiotis held in Nicosia.

Also Cyprus will continue to work towards exercising its sovereign rights despite Turkish threats and provocations, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Sunday.

Addressing a memorial service to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of a non-commission officer during a military exercise, Stephanou referred to the recent Turkish threats against Cyprus` intention to proceed with hydrocarbons exploration in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), noting that “Turkey provokes and threatens.“

“With its overall behaviour and stance Turkey violates the rules of the international law and for that reason it is internationally exposed.“

Noting that the Republic of Cyprus is proceeding with all necessary representations towards various directions to counteract these threats, Stephanou noted that these actions are yielding results “as proven by the positive reactions of significant states and the European Commission which call on Turkey to respect the international law.“

“The government will continue to work calmly for the implementation of its self-evident sovereign rights and the exploitation of its natural resources is one of them,“ the Spokesman underlined.

Furthermore, the Spokesman also said military exercises should continue in order to maintain a fight-worthy national guard and trained personnel ready to respond to its duty sufficiently, adding “this duty in a semi-occupied country with an occupying army in offensive formation is constant and difficult.“

Stephanou said the government is working for the removal of the dangers posed by the presence of the Turkish occupying army, stationed in the northern part of the island since the 1974 Turkish invasion which lead to the occupation of Cyprus northern third, through a solution to the Cyprus problem.

“A solution which would terminate occupation would reunify the country and the people and would render a Federal Republic of Cyprus demilitarized and free of weapons,“ he went on to say.

He criticized Turkey of “investing in time to consolidate the occupation`s fait accompli and refusing to implement UN resolutions the implementation of which would restore the Republic of Cyprus` sovereignty“.

He stressed however that “despite the difficulties we will not abandon the struggle for a solution because the conditions of permanent security and permanent peace will only exist through a solution and reunification.“

“Despite the difficulties the President of the Republic will continue his efforts on the negotiating table to pave the way towards a mutually agreed solution, based on the UN resolutions on Cyprus and the international law as well as the High Level agreements between the two communities, providing for a solution of bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.