President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has stressed that Cyprus will continue exploratory drilling for the search of any natural gas deposits in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Addressing an event organised by the ruling left-wing AKEL party on the occasion of the anniversary of Cyprus` Independence Day on the 1st of October, President Christofias said that since the Republic of Cyprus began exploratory drilling, Turkey intensified its provocations and threats, in an effort to prevent Cyprus from exercising its sovereign rights.
“By provoking and threatening, Turkey violates international law and order instead of respecting it“, he stressed, urging the international community, the UN and the EU, to continue efforts so that Turkey respects international law and stops its policy of threats against Cyprus.
Commenting on allegations by Turkish officials and the Turkish Cypriot leadership that the commencement of exploratory drilling has a negative impact on the ongoing Cyprus talks, he said such statements are “excuses”.
President Christofias noted that the Republic of Cyprus does not participate in the Cyprus talks, explaining that it is the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides who are involved in the talks.
“There is no linkage between the explorations for hydrocarbon reserves with the ongoing procedure to solve the Cyprus problem”, he underscored.
The Cypriot President said that the Republic of Cyprus cannot remain hostage of Turkey’s unwillingness to cooperate for the achievement of a solution and thus not exercise its sovereign rights, which he described again as “non – negotiable”.
“We will continue our exploration, always acting strictly in the framework of international law”, he underlined.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said that the partition of Cyprus is not an option for the Greek Cypriot side; it is rather the long lasting goal of Turkey’s expansionist policy.
The solution of the Cyprus problem, he said, is based on the UN Security Council resolutions, the international and European law.
President Christofias noted that Turkey’s intransigent stance is responsible for the lack of a Cyprus solution so far.
Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.
Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.
The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.
Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.
UN – led Cyprus talks began in September 2008 between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus, aiming at reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem by reunifying the island under a federal roof.
